Former biology teacher turned author from Caribbean wins Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction
Last updated 13th Jun 2024
A former biology teacher turned author from the Caribbean has picked up £25,000 on the opening day of the Borders Book Festival.
Kevin Jared Hosein was awarded the prize after being unveiled as the winner of the 2024 Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction.
His novel, Hungry Ghosts, tells the story of marginalised Hindu communities in Trinidad during the 1940s.
Judges described it as a "richly imaginative, urgent and compelling" work.
Mr Hosein - who lives in Trinidad and Tobago, where he worked in a secondary school for over a decade - said: "Truly a privilege to be shortlisted and to have Trinidad and Tobago be represented on such an impressive stage.
"Moreover, I feel like I am accomplishing the dreams of my ancestors when they first crossed those dark seas from India almost two centuries ago."
The author collected the prize from Mathew Maxwell Scott, Walter Scott’s great-great-great-great grandson.
Mr Maxwell Scott is a Trustee of his ancestor’s residence, Abbotsford, which also now manages the Prize, with support from Hawthornden Foundation, the Buccleuch Living Heritage Trust, and the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry in honour of Elizabeth Buccleuch.
He said: "As Scott was the inspiration for the genre of historical fiction, we hope this year's nominees and winner can inspire many more authors in their writing careers.
"Those of us involved in preserving Abbotsford and Scott's legacy could not be prouder to associate ourselves with this wonderful prize and its supremely gifted recipients."
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The Borders Book Festival continues at Harmony Garden in Melrose until Sunday.
Highlights over the weekend include: two legendary female comedians – Scotland’s own Janey Godley and, from south of the border, the fantastically funny Jo Caulfield; broadcaster Robert Peston; memoirs from BBC stalwarts Clive Myrie and recently retired Rory Cellan-Jones; nature-lover Kate Humble; filmmaker extraordinaire Benedict Allen; and the ever-fabulous Rory Bremner on stage with fellow legendary comedian Fred MacAulay.
For more details, and to book tickets, log on to the official website: www.bordersbookfestival.org
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