|
|
Article: The sparkle has gone out of the Orange Prize ; The Week in Arts
- Article from:
- The Independent (London, England)
- Article date:
- April 21, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2007 The Independent - London. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
|
It's hard to improve on the late Peter Cook's celebrated exchange
when it comes to discussing novel writing. Meeting an acquaintance
at a party, Cook asked him what he was doing these days. "I'm
writing a novel," said the acquaintance brightly. "That's a
coincidence," replied Cook. "Neither am I."
We all try at some stage. But writing a novel, or more
particularly completing a novel, isn't easy. The theory goes that
it's even harder for women than men to compete in the crowded world
of fiction, and the crowded world of literary prizes. And for that
reason the [pound]30,000 Orange Prize for Fiction - a women only
prize - was set up a decade ago. This week the latest shortlist was
published.