Esi Edugyan

Esi Edugyan is a well-known author of fiction and non-fiction alike. Born in Calgary, Alberta in 1977, Edugyan has achieved national acclaim for her works of literature, earning awards such as the Man Booker Prize and twice being a finalist for the Giller Prize. Edugyan graduated from the University of Victoria with a degree in creative writing and went on to pursue a master’s degree in creative writing at the University of Houston.

Themes of exploration, identity, and hope characterize Edugyan’s collection of works. Her debut novel, “The Second Life of Samuel Tyne”, tells the story of a Ghanaian Canadian man and his search for purpose and belonging in a new nation. With its exploration of the African diaspora, the novel was highly praised and won the Georges Bugnet Award for Fiction in 2005.

In 2012, Edugyan’s Sophomore novel was released. Titled “Half-Blood Blues”, the story follows a group of German and African-American jazz musicians, living in Berlin during the Second World War. This novel won the prestigious Giller Prize for Fiction, further solidifying Edugyan’s place amongst literature’s best authors.

Edugyan continues to explore the themes of identity and belonging with her other works. Her novel, “Washington Black”, tells the tale of an enslaved boy and his fight for freedom. This novel was the winner of the Man Booker Prize and was furthermore shortlisted for the Governor General’s Award for Fiction. The novel is an exploration of race, identity, and the struggle for freedom, and was heralded as a work of fiction that shaped global conversations on these topics.

Edugyan’s other works have also gone on to claim awards and critical acclaim. Her novel “The Book of Strange New Things” won the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize and was a finalist for the Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize. Edugyan’s short story collections, “Dreaming of Elsewhere” and “Speak Your Mind”, were further selected as Editor’s Choice for the various publications for which they were featured.

Edugyan has been featured in many publications, such as “The Guardian” and “The Globe and Mail” and has been widely acclaimed for her work in Canada and abroad. She further serves as an editor and mentor for emerging authors. Her encouragement of literature and writing have helped pave the way for many successful Canadian authors and continues to shape conversations both domestically and globally on identity and belonging.

Edugyan’s characters often draw on her personal experiences and are guide by a passionate love for her culture. Her works encompass a range of styles and subjects and there is no doubt that each and every one of her works is richly detailed and thought provoking. By exploring identity, exploration, and hope, Edugyan crafts stories that leave a lasting impression and challenge readers to consider their own lives in deeper ways.