Reem Gaafar’s A Mouth Full of Salt was named the winner of the Island Prize 2023 on Monday, June 12, 2023.
The Island Prize for a Debut Novel from Africa is a prize from Holland House Books (UK), Karavan Press (SA) as well as Booker Prize longlistee Karen Jennings. It is aimed at giving writers from Africa (or the diaspora) a chance to showcase their work to a wider audience, with the possibility of feedback, mentoring, meeting with a potential agent, and publication (both in the UK and South Africa).
This year’s judges panel features author and founder of The Island Prize Karen Jennings, author Rachel Edwards, and The Island Prize 2022 runner-up Hamza Koudri. Submissions came from all over the continent, including Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, Mauritius, Zambia, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Ghana.
The longlist for this year’s award was announced on Monday, March 20 before the shortlist was revealed on Tuesday, May 9. The winner was declared to be
- A Mouth Full of Salt, Reem Gaafar (Sudan) – During the search for a drowned boy in the North of Sudan, a strange woman appears and with her a series of strange and tragic events. Animals die of a mysterious illness; the date tree field catches fire and burns to the ground; a young girl dies. The women in this story are trapped in a gender and racial hierarchy, with ingrained bigotry blaming all change in society on evil outside forces.
Judges described the book as ‘stylistically simple, insightful and elegant; sharing truths like all the best fiction, it is compelling, has a profound sense of place, and shows brilliance in the ways the destinies weave together.’
Responding to the win Gaafar tweeted, “Excited to announce that the manuscript of my debut #novel A Mouth Full of Salt wins #TheIslandPrize2023! So happy to be a part of this and thank you to the contestants and organizers ❤️”
Reem Gaafar wins the £500 cash prize and detailed editorial feedback, mentorship from industry professionals, and be read by UK and US agents.
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