David Chariandy wins the $50K Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize | CBC Books - Action News
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David Chariandy wins the $50K Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize

The prize recognizes the best Canadian novel or short story collection of the year. The prize purse doubled for 2017.
Leanne Betasamosake Simpson (left) and David Chariandy are two of five authors vying for the $50,000 Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. (Zahra Siddiqu/Joy van Tiedemann)

David Chariandy'snovel Brotheris the 2017 winner of the $50,000 Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. The prize, given out annually since 1997, recognizes the best Canadian novel or short story collection of the year.

The other finalists were LeanneBetasamosakeSimpson for her collection of stories and poemsThis Accident of Being Lost,Carleigh Baker for the short story collection Bad Endings, Claire Cameron for the novel The Last Neanderthal and OmarEl Akkad for thenovel American War.You can learn more about this year's finalists below.

Both Baker and El Akkad were on CBC Books' 2017 Writers to Watch list.

Ajury comprised ofMichael Christie, Christy Ann Conlinand Tracey Lindbergchose the finalists from 141 titles submitted by publishers.

The prize moneyfor the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize has been doubled for 2017, with the winner receiving $50,000 up from $25,000 in previous years. $5,000 wentto each of the four remaining finalists.

The 2017 winner was announced at the Writers' Trust awards ceremony in Toronto on Nov. 14, 2017.

The 2016 winner was Yasuko Thanhfor her novelMysterious Fragrance of the Yellow Mountains.

Other past prize winners include Austin Clarke, Alice Munro, Lawrence Hill, Emma Donoghue and Andr Alexis.

Bad Endings by CarleighBaker

Carleigh Baker is the author of Bad Endings, a collection of short stories. (Callan Field/Anvil Press)

What it's about: In her debut short story collection, Bad Endings, Carleigh Baker explores failing relationships, challenging family dynamics and mental health.

The Last Neanderthal by Claire Cameron

Claire Cameron is the author of the novel The Last Neanderthal. (David Kerr)

What it's about:The Last Neanderthal takes the reader on a journey through the stories of both a Neanderthal named Girl and a pregnant modern-day archaeologist named Rosamund Gale.

Brother by David Chariandy

Brother is David Chariandy's second novel. (Joy van Tiedemann/Penguin Random House Canada)

What it's about:Brothertakes us inside the lives of two brothers, the sons of Trinidadian immigrants.Their father has disappeared and their mother works double, sometimes triple shifts so her boys might fulfil the elusive promise of their adopted home.

American War by OmarEl Akkad

American War is Omar El Akkad's debut novel. (Michael Lionstar/McClelland & Stewart)

What it's about:Omar El Akkad's debut novelAmerican Warenvisions a future where government restrictions on fossil fuels have sparked a second Civil War in the U.S.

This Accident of Being Lost by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson is the author of This Accident of Being Lost, a collection of stories and songs. (Zahra Siddiqui/House of Anansi Press)

What it's about:This Accident of Being Lostis a poignant collection of songs and stories inspired by LeanneBetasamosakeSimpson'sNishnaabeg storytelling roots.