Tayari Jones has won the $35,000 Aspen Words Literary Prize for her novel An American Marriage (Algonquin)

[Beverly]

Tayari Jones has won the $35,000 Aspen Words Literary Prize for her novel An American Marriage (Algonquin). The prize is given by the Aspen Institute to honor a work of fiction that "illuminates a vital contemporary issue and demonstrates the transformative power of literature on thought and culture."

The jury called An American Marriage "a gripping novel about the dissolution of a marriage. But beneath the surface of this deeply moving love story is a powerful statement about unjust incarceration and a corrupt criminal justice system that has ravaged generations of African-American families. Writing with poignancy and humor, Jones offers a much-needed meditation on issues of race, class, identity--and shows us how to move forward after a great loss."

The winner was announced at a ceremony at the Morgan Library in New York City last night that featured a conversation with the finalist authors moderated by National Public Radio's Renee Montagne.

http://www.aspenwords.org/programs/li...

[Jean]

Thanks for this, Beverly.