Etymologically, if the nuances of the words “unflinching” and “unswerving” still hold significance today, these would aptly describe Arundhati Roy, writer known for her seminal work, “The God of Small Things”. Ironically, despite her acclaim as a Booker Prize winner, she now faces legal scrutiny for exercising her right to free speech as guaranteed by the Indian constitution.
Honored with the prestigious Pen Printer Prize in 2004, Arundhati Roy is now made a scapegoat over her historical comment on Kashmir fourteen years ago. To defend freedom of expression and celebrate the literature prize established in 2009 by the charity English PEN in memory of the playwright Harold Pinter, one must be in absolute wonder at this phenomenal move.
Ms. Roy, expressing her delight at being named this year’s winner, expressed her resentment at the way the world is taking an almost incomprehensible turn. “I wish Harold Pinter were with us today to write about the almost incomprehensible turn the world is taking,” she said, gracefully accepting the award. “Since he isn’t, some of us must do our utmost to try to fill his shoes,” she quipped, with pain inside.
Described as a global thinker by Ms. Borthwick, Arundhati Roy’s persona as a writer truly depicts her as a powerful voice that will resonate forever. She won the Booker Prize for her debut novel ‘The God of Small Things’, chosen by this year’s judges — Chair of English PEN Ruth Borthwick, actor and activist Khalid Abdalla, and writer and musician Roger Robinson. Arundhati Roy will receive the award at a ceremony co-hosted by the British Library on October 10, where she will also deliver an address.
