Maurice and Maralyn by Sophie Elmhirst awarded Nero Book of the Year Prize.
Maurice and Maralyn: A Story of Survival and Love
A Remarkable Journey
A gripping true story has recently captured the limelight in the literary world. The book, titled Maurice and Maralyn: An Extraordinary True Story of Shipwreck, Survival, and Love, has won the prestigious Nero Gold prize. This book, written by Sophie Elmhirst, tells the tale of a couple who found themselves lost at sea for an astonishing 118 days after their boat collided with a whale in the 1970s.
Award Recognition
At a recent award ceremony in London, Sophie Elmhirst was honored with a £30,000 award for her compelling narrative. The chair of the judging panel, Bill Bryson, described the book as “an enthralling, engrossing story of survival and the resilience of the human spirit.” Bryson emphasized its unique storytelling style, calling it “impressively novelistic.”
Maurice and Maralyn earned recognition as the overall book of the year by winning the nonfiction category at the Nero awards. It stood out among other category winners, such as Lost in the Garden by Adam S Leslie, which won the fiction category, and Wild Houses by Colin Barrett, winner of the debut fiction category. Each winner received a £5,000 prize.
The Story Behind the Book
In Maurice and Maralyn, readers discover the extraordinary journey of a couple feeling trapped by their mundane life in suburban Derby, England. Seeking adventure, they decide to sell their home, build a boat, and set sail for New Zealand. However, their dreams turn into a nightmare when, 250 miles north of Ecuador, a sperm whale strikes their boat. This accident leaves them stranded at sea on a lifeboat for nearly four months.
A Tale of Human Endurance
Elmhirst delicately weaves the couple’s story into a powerful narrative that captures both the thrill of survival and the strain of a marriage under pressure. In a review for the Guardian, Fiona Sturges described the book as "an electrifying narrative full of atmosphere and humanity." She noted that while it is about a shipwreck, it also profoundly represents two unconventional individuals who bravely challenge the norms of their time.
The Challenges of Survival
As mentioned in the book, survival in such harsh conditions poses not just physical challenges but emotional ones as well. Elmhirst writes, “For what else is a marriage, really, if not being stuck on a small raft with someone and trying to survive?” This quote encapsulates the essence of a marriage tested by extreme circumstances.
Bill Bryson praised Maralyn, saying that while Maurice struggled, it was Maralyn’s courage that allowed them to persevere. Elmhirst relied heavily on Maralyn’s diaries from their time on the lifeboat, along with interviews from the couple after they were found and memoirs they penned, to construct this vivid retelling.
Author’s Background
Sophie Elmhirst is an established journalist, contributing to notable publications like The Guardian, The Economist’s 1843 magazine, and The New Yorker. This book is her first venture into long-form writing. Winning the Nero prize in the nonfiction category felt like a “lovely confidence transfusion” for her.
Bryson and the judging panel, which included celebrated authors like Bernardine Evaristo and journalist Emily Maitlis, recognized Elmhirst’s skill in making the harrowing struggle come alive for readers. They noted how her understated yet powerful writing immerses readers in the unfolding drama and horror faced by the couple against overwhelming odds.
New Opportunities for Writers
The recent award ceremony also announced an exciting new initiative: the Nero New Writers Prize. In partnership with Brunel University, this award encourages unpublished writers to submit 5,000 words of original work, whether it be adult fiction, children’s fiction, or creative nonfiction. The winner will earn a cash prize, a scholarship for an MA program in creative writing at Brunel, and a meeting with a literary agent.
Where to Find the Book
Maurice and Maralyn is published by Vintage and is available for purchase. Readers interested in exploring this impactful story can find it at various retailers, including the Guardian bookshop. With a price of £10.99, it not only tells a powerful story but also stands as a testament to human resilience and love.
This gripping tale of survival, humanity, and deep emotional stakes is sure to resonate with any reader looking for an astonishing journey that spans the extremes of nature and the human experience.
