Nigeria’s Onyemelukwe wins at Sharjah International Book Fair

Nigeria’s Cheluchi Onyemelukwe has won the best international fiction prize at the Sharjah International Book Fair 2019 for her novel, ‘The Son of the House’. Published by Penguin Random House South Africa and Parresia Publishers, ‘The Son of the House’ is set in Enugu in the 1970s, where young Nwabulu dreams of becoming a typist […]

Nigeria’s Cheluchi Onyemelukwe has won the best international fiction prize at the Sharjah International Book Fair 2019 for her novel, ‘The Son of the House’.

Published by Penguin Random House South Africa and Parresia Publishers, ‘The Son of the House’ is set in Enugu in the 1970s, where young Nwabulu dreams of becoming a typist as she endures her employers’ endless chores.

Onyemelukwe, in her acceptance speech said: “I am excited, thankful, humbled and ecstatic at the love and warm reception for ‘The Son of the House’. What a truly amazing year this has been so far. Thank you to both my publishing houses, Penguin Random House South Africa and Parrésia for loving this book and nominating it. Thank you to those who have loved me through the years and who have believed in my talent, my family, friends, and teachers. In particular, I am grateful that my parents are alive to see these lovely things happen.” she said.

The Sharjah International Book Fair is one of the leading festivals in the Middle East and Africa region. At the opening ceremony, the fair typically awards the best books written over the last year by local and international writers. The international prize, worth 50,000 AED, has been won by among others David Baldacci, Sorraya Khan, and Lauri Kubuitsile.