Daily Times

Mohsin Hamid has always been on literary forefront for his contributions. His latest novel Exit West has received worldwide recognition but this time the book has also claimed an international award.

Mohsin Hamid has won the Aspen Words Literary Prize 2018 for his novel Exit West. The awards were held in New York on April 10.

Hamid talked about the content and theme of his novel. During his acceptance speech at the ceremony, he said:

“Exit West is a novel about migration and how the world is changing — and could change — and how we are all migrants, and how we can find an optimistic future together.”

Mohsin Hamid further added, “I’m really grateful to be honoured by this prize in particular, which is a prize that looks to books to have an impact on the world.”

The novelist received $35,000 as prize money for this award.

There are numerous awards for the recognition of national and international literature. The Aspen Words Literary Prize is an annual award for an influential work of fiction. This award focuses on the literature that highlights a vital contemporary issue and demonstrates the transformative power of literature on thought and culture.

Exit West has won international acclaim. Among its many nominations, Exit West has been nominated for LA Times Book Prize and was also shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.

Published in Daily Times, April 16^th 2018.