Tanzanian-Born Writer Abdulrazak Gurnah Wins Nobel Prize in Literature

Abdulrazak Gurnah: A Nobel Laureate’s Journey

The Nobel Committee has announced this year’s best writer, Abdulrazak Gurnah, a native of Tanzania. His name came as a surprise, and the decision to award him marks a significant breakthrough. Journalists quickly noted that Gurnah is the first Black African Nobel laureate in literature in the past 35 years. What do we know about this talented author and his works? Let’s delve into his story.

The Nobel Committee’s Decision

The Nobel Committee awarded Gurnah for his “uncompromising and compassionate penetration of the effects of colonialism and the fate of refugees.” Gurnah has written and published 10 books and several short stories, each exploring the theme of displaced individuals.

This Nobel Prize is Gurnah’s first major literary award. Previously, his books were shortlisted for the Booker Prize twice: “Paradise” in 1994 and “By the Sea” in 2001. Alexandra Pringle, Gurnah’s long-time editor at Bloomsbury, expressed her joy and surprise at the win, stating that Gurnah was often overlooked despite being one of the greatest living African authors.

Gurnah’s Personal Journey

The theme of refugees’ plight is close to Gurnah’s heart. After finishing school, he had to leave his native island of Zanzibar and move to England due to life-threatening circumstances. In December 1963, a revolution occurred in Zanzibar, leading to the persecution of citizens of Arab descent, including mass killings. Gurnah, who had Arab roots, fled at the age of eighteen. He returned to Zanzibar in 1984 and saw his father shortly before his death.

In Britain, Gurnah achieved great heights. Until recently, he was a professor of English and postcolonial literature at the University of Kent in Canterbury. Throughout his life, he sought to understand the causes of his personal and his people’s tragedies, which resulted in his remarkable prose.

Gurnah’s Literary Works

Anders Olsson, the chairman of the Nobel Committee, praised Gurnah’s books for their unique perspective on the lives of refugees, told through the language of the displaced themselves. Let’s explore some of his notable works:

Memory of Departure (1987): Gurnah’s debut novel tells the story of a failed uprising in Africa and a gifted young man’s struggle to escape poverty.
Pilgrims Way (1988): This novel reflects on the multifaceted life of a refugee in England, touching on themes of racism, love, and ancestral memory.
Dottie (1990): A portrait of a Black immigrant woman in 1950s England, struggling with loneliness and racism.
Paradise (1994): A breakthrough novel that explores love against the backdrop of African colonization, drawing parallels with the story of the prophet Joseph (Yusuf).
Admiring Silence (1996) and By the Sea (2001): These novels delve into the themes of self-esteem and self-identification, crucial for leading a normal life.
Desertion (2005): This novel showcases cultural differences in colonized East Africa through a love story between an Englishman and a local woman.
The Last Gift (2011) and Gravel Heart (2017): These books continue to explore themes of displacement, family secrets, and moral struggles.
Afterlives (2020): Gurnah’s latest novel tells the story of a young man forced to fight for the Germans, exploring themes of exploitation, loss, and identity.