Leilaniâs debut âstood out for the compelling narrative voice, and the unblinking quality of the writing,â said chair of judges Namita Gokhale, who, with her fellow judges, selected Luster from a shortlist which also featured Kate Elizabeth Russellâs My Dark Vanessa, and Akwaeke Emeziâs The Death of Vivek Oji.
âIt was a difficult decision as we had an exceptionally brilliant shortlist â all the books were potential winners. After many conversations and long deliberations, the jury unanimously decided on Luster,â said Gokhale.
She described Luster â which was chosen by Barack Obama as one of his favourite books of last year â as âan accomplished and fearless novel that carries the ache, uncertainty and vulnerability as well as the harsh reality of being a young black woman in America. The narrator Edieâs incisive eye for all registers of racist bias is unblinking and masterly. This is an important, uncomfortable book, by tu