Congratulations to Pamela Korgemagi and Ann Shin, whose novels THE HUNTER AND THE OLD WOMAN (House of Anansi Press) and THE LAST EXILES (Harlequin) have been selected as finalists for the 2022 Trillium Book Award!
Established in 1987 by the Ontario government to recognize excellence in writing of any genre by authors from Ontario, the Trillium Book Award is the province’s most prestigious literary recognition. Past winners include Margaret Atwood, Michael Ondaatje, Timothy Findley and Anne Michaels. A jury of writers and figures from the literary community judges all submissions and selects the winning titles. Winners will be announced on June 17, 2020.
From the Jury Citation for THE HUNTER AND THE OLD WOMAN:
The intertwined story of a cougar and a man that portrays the strength, vulnerability, and consciousness of two top predators. Not since Life of Pi have we encountered such transcendence or walked so fully in the footsteps of a big cat.
The “Old Woman” lives in the wild, searching for food, raising her cubs, and avoiding the two-legged creatures who come into her territory. But she is more than an animal — she is a mythic creature who haunts the lives and the dreams of men. Joseph Brandt has been captivated by the mountain lion’s legend since childhood, and one day he steps into the forest to seek her out. A classic in the making, The Hunter and the Old Woman is a mesmerizing portrait of two animals united by a shared destiny.
Pamela Korgemagi is a graduate of York University’s creative writing program. The Hunter and the Old Woman is her debut novel. She lives and works in Toronto. Pamela is represented by Samantha Haywood.
From the Jury Citation for THE LAST EXILES:
Jin and Suja met and fell in love while studying at university in Pyongyang. She was a young journalist from a prominent family, while he was from a small village of little means. Outside the school, the people of North Korea have come under the grip of great political upheaval, plunged into chaos and famine. When Jin returns home to find his family starving, their food rations all but gone, he makes a rash decision that will haunt him for the rest of his life. Meanwhile, miles away, Suja has begun to feel the tenuousness of her privilege when she learns that Jin has disappeared. Risking everything, and defying her family, Suja sets out to find him, embarking on a dangerous journey that leads her into a dark criminal underbelly and tests their love and will to survive.
In this vivid and moving story, award-winning filmmaker Ann Shin offers a rare glimpse at life inside the guarded walls of North Korea and the harrowing experiences of those who are daring enough to attempt escape. Inspired by real stories of incredible bravery, The Last Exiles is a stunning debut about love, sacrifice and the price of liberty.
Ann Shin is an award-winning poet and documentary filmmaker. In addition to publishing her poetry, she’s directed films and series that have aired on CBC, ABC, PBS, TVO, Discovery Channel, HGTV and History Channel. Ann lives in Toronto with her partner and two daughters. The Last Exiles is her first novel. Ann is represented by Carolyn Forde.
To see the full list of honorees, please visit: https://ontariocreates.ca/our-sectors/book/trillium-book-award/finalists-2022-trillium-book-award