admin Margaret Atwood and Bernardine Evaristo have been called the joint winners of the 2019 Booker Prize.
The award’s £50,000 prize money equally will split between both.
According to the Booker rules the prize must not be divided, but the judges claimed they couldn’t separate works by two.
Evaristo is the first black woman to win, whereas 79 years Atwood, is the oldest ever Booker winner.
After their names were titled, Atwood said, “I would have thought I would have been too elderly, and I kind of don’t need the attention, so I’m very glad that you’re getting some.
“It would have been quite embarrassing for me… if I had been alone here, so I’m very pleased that you’re here too.”
After the last tie in 1992 the award’s rules were changed, and organisers stated this year they were not allowed judges to select two winners.
After five hours of discussions, the chair of the judges, Peter Florence announced, “It was our decision to flout the rules.”
He stated, “The more we talked about them, the more we found we loved them both so much we wanted them both to win.”
On Tuesday morning, Atwood and Evaristo and spoke together on Radio 4’s today programme.
Evaristo said winning was “a real game changer”.
“It means my work gets out there to a much wider audience around the world,” She added further.
“There are lots of prizes which people from certain communities don’t win, certainly black people don’t win lots of literary awards. No one seems to notice, but it’s really important.
“A black woman has never won. Only four black women have ever been shortlisted and there have been about 300 books shortlisted.
“Hopefully this signals a new direction for the Booker and the kind of judges they have. This year there were four women judges and one male.
“I hope more black women win this prize.”
Atwood said, “It’s great to be sharing with Bernardine… and I certainly hope you’ll come to Canada, bring your warm clothing!”
She added further for Evaristo, “What you have done is to make it possible for more black women to consider that writing is something they can do.”
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