Rosie Thomas for the second time has been announced the winner of the Romantic Novel of the Year for her book ‘Iris & Ruby’. Before she won the same, 22 years back for her novel ‘Sunrise’. Other short listed authors included were Judith Lennox for Saga, Carole Matthews for Welcome to the Real World and Matt Dunn for the Ex-Boyfriend’s Handbook.
The story can be told as a tale of generations. The novel balances between a woman and her grand-daughter, who are drawn together by their experiences in love to create a whole new picture. It imbibes the past as well as the future. The surroundings, the characters, the relationship, the attachment, the love; everything is so beautifully written and described. The story basically develops and is concentrated in Cairo. The book makes you travel with its words. It is a journey between two generations. That may be the reason why Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, a judge described it as ‘beautifully written’.
Rosie Thomas lives in London. She is basically from Wales. Her novels include White, the Potter’s House, if My Father Loved Me and Sun at Midnight. Her other celebrated novels include Bad Girls, Good Women, A Simple Life. She generally spends her time mountaineering and traveling.
The award was started in 1960 by the Romantic Novelists Association to recognize and award talent in the field of romantic fiction and encourage writers. The award includes £5,000 as the prize money.
Source:BBC
Image Credit: Fantasticfiction
