Canada's Margaret Atwood wins Spain's top literature prize

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

MADRID (AFP) — Canadian author Margaret Atwood was on Wednesday awarded Spain's prestigious Prince of Asturias Prize for literature as "one of the most outstanding voices of contemporary fiction," the jury announced.

"Margaret Atwood offers in her novels a politically committed, critical view of the world and contemporary society, while revealing extraordinary sensitivity in her copious poetical oeuvre, a genre which she cultivates with great skill," the jury said.

Atwood, 68, beat 32 other nominees from 24 countries, including Britain's Ian McEwan, for the prize, worth 50,000 euros (78,000 dollars) and which she will officially receive from Crown Prince Felipe in October.

The poet, novelist, literary critic and feminist won Britain's Booker Prize in 2000...