Neustadt International Prize for Literature 2016 – Winner

Hello Gentle Reader

Since the controversy of the Nobel Prize for Literature and the heated discussions, debates, dissertations of dissent; along with laments, elegies, and mournful wails – nothing else hasd the room or the orating space in which to make itself heard. The literary controversy continues to burn, as many contemplate whether or not poetry has been redefined; and if it has what does it mean for the literary world, when it can be invaded by a reluctant musician. Yet, now for the good news, which was sadly eclipsed by controversy and the intensity of still fanned flames.  

The Bi-annual Neustadt International Prize for Literature (often considered the ‘American Nobel,’) has announced (last Friday) this year’s Laureate for the prize: Dubravka Ugrešić. The ‘post-Yugoslav,’ or Croatian writer, has been gifted with this year’s silver feather, and the $50, 000 prize money. Her novels and essays have been well revered in Europe as well as internationally, has her work has been translated into twenty different languages. She is noted however, as much for her literary output, as well as her political stance. In nineteen-ninety one, as the former Soviet State of Yugoslavia began to dissolve, the dogs of war would soon be released, with the trumpeting of nationalism. Ugrešić took a strong anti-war stance as well as anti-nationalistic stance. She was vocal in her criticism and published them, which soon would receive the ire from her follow intellectuals, writer and public figures in now Croatia; as she was soon herald as a traitor, an enemy of the public, and deemed a witch. As the attacks, the slander, and the defamation continued, Dubravka Ugrešić would later leave her fragmenting homeland, and live in exile in Amsterdam. Exile has become one theme for Dubravka Ugrešić. She writes about the painful loss of home, as someone who entered exile; but also rejoices in its freedom.

Congratulations to Dubravka Ugrešić, for becoming the Laureate for this year’s Neustadt International Prize for Literature.

Dubravka Ugrešić now joins the ranks of other Laureates: Mia Couto (2014), Czesław Miłosz (1978), Francis Ponge (1974), Tomas Tranströmer (1990), as well as Assia Djebar (1996).

I’d like to note Gentle Reader, for this year’s Neustadt International Prize for Literature, the shortlisted contained seven female writers:

Dubravka Ugrešić,

Can Xue,

Caryl Churchill,

Carolyn Forché,

Aminatta Forna,

Anne-Marie MacDonald,

Guadalupe Nettel.

While only two men where shortlisted for the award:

Ghassan Zaqtan

Don Paterson

There has been great talk over the years, about female writers being overlooked or not taken as seriously as their male counterparts. Literature should be genderless; but it were to appear the Neustadt International Prize for Literature has decided to lessen the gap in disparity between female and male writers, with this year’s award.

Thank-you For Reading Gentle Reader

Take Care

And As Always

Stay Well Read

M. Mary