Caine Prize for African Writing
1 appearances
-
Edition 5 (2004) Winner
Brian Chikwava
ブライアン・チクワヴァ
Brian Chikwava
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- 1971-01-01 （Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe）
- Nationality
- Zimbabwe
- Languages
- English
- Residence History
- Victoria Falls (birthplace) → Bulawayo (boarding school) → Bristol (studies) → London (resident since 2004)
Career
- Occupations
- Writer, Musician
- Active Years
- 2003-
- Affiliations
- University of East Anglia (Charles Pick fellow)
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Bristol | Faculty of Engineering | Civil Engineering | — | — | United Kingdom |
University of Bristol
Faculty of Engineering
/ Civil Engineering
Country:
United Kingdom
Studied civil engineering at the University of Bristol (exact graduation year unknown)
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Caine Prize for African Writing | Seventh Street Alchemy | — | Caine Prize organization | 受賞 |
Caine Prize for African Writing
2004
Work:
Seventh Street Alchemy
Organization:
Caine Prize organization
Result:
受賞
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Seventh Street Alchemy
2003 Short storyA short story by a Zimbabwean narrator that reclaims English with African characteristics; addresses themes of migration and urban hardship. Winner of the 2004 Caine Prize.
migrationlanguage and identityurban survival
Harare North
2009 NovelA novel portraying the survival and scams of immigrants living in London, told in a vernacular narrative voice. Critics praised its original voice and social commentary.
diasporasurvival strategiessocial marginalization
Bibliography
- Seventh Street Alchemy (short story, 2003, published in Writing Still, Weaver Press)
- Harare North (novel, 2009, Jonathan Cape)
- Jacaranda Skits (album, year unknown)
Adaptations
- Contributed a piece to the Bush Theatre project 'Sixty Six Books' (2011)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- vernacular, colloquial narrative voiceconcise prose with wit and irony
- Recurring Motifs
- migration experienceassertion of identity through languageurban margins and survival
Legacy
Noted as the first Zimbabwean to win the Caine Prize in 2004, he demonstrated a literary voice that claims English with African characteristics. Based in London, he continues to write in English and is recognized for his treatment of migration and language.
Quotes
-
“A very strong narrative in which Brian Chikwava of Zimbabwe claims the English language as his own, and English with African characteristics.... A triumph for the long tradition of Zimbabwe writing in the face of Zimbabwe’s uncertain future!”
Source: Comment by chair of judges Alvaro Ribeiro on the Caine Prize (2004) (2004)
Trivia
- Won the 2004 Caine Prize for the short story 'Seventh Street Alchemy', becoming the first Zimbabwean winner.
- Published the novel 'Harare North' in 2009.
- Has released an album titled 'Jacaranda Skits' and is active as a musician.
- Has lived in London since 2004.
- Contributed to the Bush Theatre project 'Sixty Six Books' in 2011.