American writer Barbara Kingsolver Just won the 2023 Women’s Prize for Fiction, UK’s most prestigious annual book award that celebrates and honors fiction written by women, making her the first person to win the award twice in her 28-year history.
Kingsolver has been selected as the winner for her novel “Damon Copperhead”, which also won the Prestigious Pulitzer Prize.
Set in the Appalachian Mountains, Virginia, US, it is a reimagining of the famous British writer Charles Dickens’ novel “David Copperfield” as it follows the protagonist’s journey from an orphanage to exploitation at work, addiction, and more in a culture that neglects rural communities.
The renowned writer had previously won the award in 2010 for her novel, The Lacuna, and was also shortlisted in 2013 prized, dedicated to female authors, worth £30,000, given to the best full-length novel of the year written by a woman and published in the UK.
Famed broadcaster and writer Louise Minchin chaired this year’s jury, joined by novelist Rachel Joyce; journalist, podcaster, and writer Bella Mackie; novelist and short story writer Irenosen Okojie; and Politician Tulip Siddiq.
The shortlist included first-time novelists Jacqueline Crooks, Louise Kennedy, Maggie O’Farrell, Priscilla Morris, and award-winner Barbara Kingsolver.
The judges unanimously decided that Kingsolver’s novel was the winner, with jury member, Minchin, stressing that the panel was deeply moved by Damon’s personality, gentle optimism, resilience, and determination even though everything was against him.
Moreover, Minchin described “Damon Copperhead” as a hugely important book and a revelation of modern America, the opioid crisis, and the cruel treatment of disadvantaged communities.
She added that Damon Copperhead’s novel carries a triumphant emotional charge that will stand the test of time, while Elizabeth Lowry, reviewing the book in The Guardian, said she considers Damon Copperhead a book that must be written.
