Overview
Zimbabwean author NoViolet Bulawayo has been honored with the Best of Caine award, a special accolade celebrating stories from previous Caine Prize winners in recognition of its 25th anniversary. The award was given for her short story that captivated judges with its “powerful language, distinctive tone of voice, and bold, compelling storytelling.”
About “Hitting Budapest”
Her winning story, Hitting Budapest, originally awarded the Caine prize in 2011, portrays a group of six children who venture from their impoverished shantytown, Paradise, into the affluent neighborhood of Budapest to steal guavas. First published in the Boston Review, the story delves into themes of poverty, social inequalities, and the dreams harbored by children.
As the nine-year-old narrator, Darling, reflects, “Budapest is like a different country. A country where people who are not like us live… It’s the fruit that gives us courage, otherwise we wouldn’t dare be here.”
Reflection on the Journey
After receiving the award during the inaugural Words Across Waters: Afro Lit Fest at the British Library in London, Bulawayo remarked that winning the Best of Caine award 14 years after her initial Caine prize win offers a moment to reflect on her journey. She noted, “Winning the Caine prize as an unpublished writer back in 2011 was truly the kind of defining highlight to jumpstart a career. It brought my work to a global audience and affirmed my literary path.”
Judging Panel and Further Accomplishments
The Best of Caine award judges were led by renowned author and Nobel laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah, alongside novelist Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi and film producer Tony Tagoe.
Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Bulawayo relocated to the United States at 18. “Hitting Budapest” serves as the first chapter of her celebrated debut novel, We Need New Names, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2013—the first honor of its kind for a Black African woman—and received recognition from the Guardian First Book Award.
Her second novel, Glory, is a satire inspired by the fall of an oppressive regime in Zimbabwe and was shortlisted for the 2022 Booker Prize.
The Caine Prize Legacy
Bulawayo currently teaches at Cornell University. The Caine Prize, which offers a £10,000 award, celebrates outstanding English-language short stories from African writers and is named after Sir Michael Caine, a former chairman of the Booker Prize management committee. Since its inception in 2000, the annual award has recognized 25 winners from 10 different countries, including notable authors like Kenyan Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor, Nigerian Helon Habila, and South African Nadia Davids.
Final Thoughts
NoViolet Bulawayo’s journey as a writer exemplifies resilience and talent, shining a light on the rich narratives that emerge from Africa. Her recent recognition not only celebrates her individual achievements but also underscores the importance of diverse voices in literature, making significant strides toward a more inclusive literary landscape.
