British-Sri-Lankan human rights documentary filmmaker, turned debut novelist, Guy Gunaratne (34), has been announced as the winner of this year’s Swansea University International Dylan Thomas Prize, with a prize sum of £30,000, for his debut novel In Our Mad and Furious City.
In Our Mad and Furious City burst into our consciousness in 2018 providing an urgent, timely and compelling fictional account of 48 hours in an East London housing estate after the murder of a British soldier, as told through three narrators. Risky and inventive, Gunaratne has been lauded for providing an authentic voice to marginalised sectors of society and for shining a spotlight on the very real experiences of youths from minority ethnic backgrounds. To read more on this story click here.
Launched in 2006, the annual Swansea University International Dylan Thomas Prize is one of the most prestigious awards for young writers, aimed at encouraging raw creative talent worldwide. It celebrates and nurtures international literary excellence.
The £30,000 Prize is awarded to the best published literary work in the English language, written by an author aged 39 or under.
Dylan Thomas, the quintessential adolescent writer, was ideally suited to serve as an inspiration to young writers everywhere. The freshness and immediacy of his writing were qualities that he never lost. The Prize seeks to ensure that readers today will have the chance to savour the vitality and sparkle of a new generation of young writers.
Guy Gunaratne
