Bernard Beckett wins major French literary prize
30th April 2010
New Zealand author Bernard Beckett has won the 2010 Prix Sorcieres prize in France for his latest book, Genesis.
The author won in the young adult category with a novel that has been described as strikingly original and hugely ambitious.
It is the latest in a long line of top literary prizes that the author has picked up with the book. Previous accolades received by Beckett include the 2007 Esther Glen Award and the young adult fiction prize at the 2007 New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards.
Commenting on what it means to be recognised in French literary circles, Beckett said: 'I'm particularly delighted to be recognised in France as it's one of my very favourite places, indeed I wrote two of my novels while I was there in 1999.'
Michael Heyward of Text Publishing, which bought the rights to the novel, told Booksellers NZ that he knew from the instant he read the novel that it would have readers 'on the edge of their seats'.
Genesis is set for a global release next month.