The 2023 edition of the James Currey Prize for African Literature received over 80 entries from African writers spread across East, West, Central and Southern Africa, out of which 51 that met the rules progressed to the assessment stage by the jury chaired by Henry Akubuiro, with the following members: Nneoma Otuegbe, Tatiana Cassiano, Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, Javier Gutierrez Lozano, Debbie Edwards and Masande Ntshanga.
The jury is impressed with the overall quality of entries recorded this year, a reflection of the diversity of Africa’s storytelling tradition. The stories by these talented novelists pay witness to the postcolonial African condition, mystery and subaltern lives, told with flair and panache. In delving into realities beyond the familiar, some of these narratives leave the reader awestruck in a manner that reminds us that the next generation of ingenious African storytellers are waiting in the wings, if not here already.
In no particular order, this is the longlist of 11 for the 2023 James Currey Prize for African Literature:
- Black Fractures in Exile by Limpho Sechele
- Bolga by Bus by G.A. Agambila
- The Night Wing by Oluwaseun Beatrice Wende
- Kindred Beyond by Chidubem Iweka
- A Dangerous Job for a Woman – Pat Brickhill
- Girl Generation by Zainab Suileman
- The Legend Beach House by Peter Njeri
- The Remnant by Tariro Ndoro
- Ominla by Olatobosun Taofeek
- Akala by William Moore
- Azogini by Chuks Iloegbunam
A shortlist of 5 will be announced on August 20th, 2023, while the winner will be declared on September 3, 2023 in Oxford at the James Currey Literary Festival, taking place from September 1-3, 2023.
Signed by Henry Akubuiro, Jury Chair, 2023 James Currey Prize for African Literature