Nobel Prize in Literature Awarded to Novelist Abdulrazak Gurnah

Mr. Gurnah has published 10 novels, together with “Paradise,” a story established in the course of Germany’s colonization of Zanzibar, off Africa’s east coast. Other will work involve “Desertion” and “By the Sea,” along with brief tales.

Mr. Gurnah remaining Zanzibar amid a violent revolution on the island. His do the job seems to be at the results of the numerous waves of colonialism on his homeland, which has observed Portuguese, Arab, Indian, German and British rulers, mentioned the Swedish Academy, which awards the annual prize.

“The topic of the refugee’s disruption operates in the course of his do the job,” the academy mentioned. His “characters come across on their own in a hiatus between cultures and continents, between a life that was and a life rising.”

In his occupation of additional than thirty a long time, Mr. Gurnah has upended the colonial standpoint to spotlight that of the indigenous populations, the academy mentioned.

Mr. Gurnah wasn’t among the favorites to acquire the award. The preceding year’s winner was Louise Glück, the U.S. poet.

Produce to Alistair MacDonald at [email protected]