The judges of the prize described Adichie’s understanding of gender, race and global inequality as sophisticated and beyond measure.
“In this age of the privatised, marketised self, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is the exception who defies the rule,” said Maureen Freely, chair of trustees for English PEN.
Adichie, speaking on the prize, said:
“I admired Harold Pinter’s talent, his courage, his lucid dedication to telling his truth, and I am honoured to be given an award in his name.”
Adichie will be presented with the prize on October 9, and will also, on that date, announce her co-winner – the winner of the International Writer of Courage – a prize given to a writer who is active in defense of freedom of expression, often at great risk to their own safety and liberty.
Last year, the winner, Michael Longley – the Belfast poet – shared the honour with the Iranian poet Mahvash Sabet.
