Can CanLit move forward from the Giller Prize controversy?
Author and Giller shortlist nominee Noor Naga explains why she’s boycotting the literary award
Over the past year, there has been an ongoing rift in the Canadian literature world about whether or not to support the Giller Prize. Some writers have protested the literary prize because they don't want to support its lead sponsor, Scotiabank, and its investment in an Israeli weapons manufacturer.
CanLit Responds is a group of writers who wants the Giller Prize to end its relationship with Scotiabank because of this weapons investment. Elamin Abdelmahmoud speaks with a member of CanLit Responds, Noor Naga, who was shortlisted for the Giller Prize in 2022 for her debut novel, If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English. They speak about how the Canadian literary world has changed since October 7 and she responds to criticism of the group's aims.
You can listen to the full discussion from today's show on CBC Listen or on our podcast, Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, available wherever you get your podcasts.
Interview with Noor Naga produced by Jess Low.