American writer wins £40,000 Folio prize for 'darkly playful' short story collection Tenth of December
George Saunders was described as an exceptional first winner of the Folio prize. Photograph: Tim Knox
A collection of short stories by the American writer George Saunders was on Monday praised as truly original and "absolutely of the moment" as it was named the inaugural winner of the UK's newest literary prize.
Saunders, a former Guardian columnist, became the first winner of the £40,000 Folio prize, an award created by people in the books industry who felt frustrated by what they see as the shortcomings of the Man Booker.
Announcing the winner in central London, the chair of judges – the poet Lavinia Greenlaw – said Saunders' stories in his book Tenth of December were both artful and profound.
"Darkly playful, they take us to the edge of some of the most difficult questions of our time and force us to consider what lies behind and beyond them."
She described Saunders' work as "unflinching, delightful, adventurous, compassionate" and added: "He is a true original whose work is absolutely of the moment. We have no doubt that these stories will prove only more essential in years to come."
The Folio prize was founded by Andrew Kidd, managing director of the literary agents Aitken Alexander Associates.
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Saunders, a former Guardian columnist, became the first winner of the £40,000 Folio prize, an award created by people in the books industry who felt frustrated by what they see as the shortcomings of the Man Booker.
Announcing the winner in central London, the chair of judges – the poet Lavinia Greenlaw – said Saunders' stories in his book Tenth of December were both artful and profound.
"Darkly playful, they take us to the edge of some of the most difficult questions of our time and force us to consider what lies behind and beyond them."
She described Saunders' work as "unflinching, delightful, adventurous, compassionate" and added: "He is a true original whose work is absolutely of the moment. We have no doubt that these stories will prove only more essential in years to come."
The Folio prize was founded by Andrew Kidd, managing director of the literary agents Aitken Alexander Associates.
More
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