READERS everywhere have anticipated the dramatic unveiling of the winners of the Indie Book Awards 2020, which is, at present, the only UK book award run by independent bookshops. As Independent Bookshop Week draws to a close, the judging panel has come to its conclusions. Last month, Glass shared the details of the shortlist cohort, all of whom demonstrated an inspiring depth and variety of writing. The four categories are Fiction, Non-Fiction, Children’s Fiction and Picture Book, and the deserving winners are likely to be recognised, if not already cherished.
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo (Penguin)
Bernadine Evaristo wins the Fiction category for her novel, Girl, Woman, Other, published by Penguin. The novel approaches the intersectional, intergenerational lives of 12 women, and it’s the kind of book that many will read and lend to their friends with the intention of sharing the delights that Evaristo writes into existence.
As a great admirer of Lara, Evaristo’s verse novel, there is no doubt that Evaristo is a terrific writer and the worthy winner of this category – her contributions to the writing community reflect an awareness of how humans interact and expand through one another. This is no singular view – Matt Taylor, Chair of Judges, said: “We felt it was such an engaging, vibrant, funny and important book it should win every prize going, be thrust into the hands of browsers in bookshops and be read by everyone.” Evaristo sets an outstanding precedent for contemporary fiction.
Mudlarking by Lara Maiklem (Bloomsbury)
Lara Maiklem’s Mudlarking, published by Bloomsbury, wins the Non-Fiction category, a new category for this year’s awards. To ‘mudlark’ is to scavenge through river sludge for valuable objects, and Maiklem’s book is distinctly that – Maiklem invites readers to join her on an adventure pulling history’s teeth from the riverbeds of London.
Taylor also commented on the judging panel’s reasons for choosing Mudlarking, “The panel found Mudlarking by Lara Maiklem fascinating and felt we were down in the mud with her at 5am going through broken pieces of pottery looking for that one hidden gem. It is a brilliant mix of social history and archaeology written in a highly engaging voice,” he said. Maiklem’s eye for detail has pushed her findings to the forefront, resulting in a non-fiction favourite.
The Girl Who Speaks Bear by Sophie Anderson (Usborne)
In the Children’s Fiction category, Sophie Anderson is the winner for her book, The Girl Who Speaks Bear, which is published by Usborne and illustrated by Kathrin Honesta. Anderson’s story takes inspiration from folklore and myth in order to re-centre magic’s affective charm – with a bear-legged protagonist, Anderson borrows from traditional tales to create a contemporary novel furnished with timeless tropes.
Vanessa Lewis, the other Chair of Judges, praised Anderson’s rich text, observing that “Sophie Anderson’s magical interweaving of narrative and traditional stories makes for an exhilarating tale.” Anderson’s win is sure to attract a community of both adult and children readers.
Don’t Worry Little Crab by Chris Haughton (Walker Books)
Finally, Chris Haughton wins the Picture Book category for Don’t Worry Little Crab, published by Walker Books. Although I had more than enough picture books growing up, Haughton’s creation makes me wish that it had been published 20 years earlier.
Very Big Crab and Little Crab face up to the sea, which means that Little Crab has to learn what it means to be brave. Haughton is both author and illustrator of this title, adroitly combining a playful, polychromatic visual array with a wonderful storyline. Lewis praised the picture book, remarking that it “was deemed the perfect picture book with its vibrant colour palette and heart-warming message about being brave and trying something new.”
If they’re not on your bookshelves already, then these four titles should be making their way there with speed. The awards come at a significant moment for independent bookshops when, earlier this month, many emerged from their lockdown-induced cocoons.
Glass celebrates the imagination and vivacity of Evaristo, Maiklem, Anderson and Haughton, and we look forward to all that is yet to be read and written.
by Alice Hill-Woods
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