Margaret Atwood and Bernardine Evaristo have been named joint winners of the Booker Prize.
The announcement has resulted in Evaristo becoming the first black woman to win the Booker since its 1969 debut. Her father is Nigerian and her work,which traverses fiction,poetry and non-fiction,focuses on the African diaspora. Evaristo has describedGirl,Woman,Otheras an experimental novel that spans more than 100 years of history. Its characters include a farmer,a bride and a lesbian theatre director.
The 2019 Booker announcement also saw Atwood become the fourth author to win the literary prize twice. (Her first win came in 2000 thanks to her novelThe Blind Assassin.)The Testamentswas controversially shortlisted for the Booker Prize before it had even been published,with judgeshaving to sign a "ferocious non-disclosure agreement".
In her acceptance speech,Atwood said neither she or Evaristo expected to win.
"I would have thought that I would have been too elderly and I kind of don't need the attention,"she said."So I'm very glad that[Evaristo is] getting some. It would have been embarrassing if I had been here alone."
Evaristo told the crowd she hoped more writers of colour would follow in her footsteps.
"I will say I am the first black woman to win this prize,"she said."I hope that honour doesn't last too long. I hope that other people come forward now."