Bernardine Evaristo
Bernardine Evaristo
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Bernardine Evaristo is a British-Nigerian poet, novelist, short story writer, essayist, graphic artist, and playwright. She is commonly known for her versatile contributions to the literary world.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on May 30, 1952, in London, England.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Evaristo holds dual British-Nigerian nationality. Her professions include poet, novelist, short story writer, essayist, graphic artist, and playwright.
Early Life and Background
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Growing up in the UK as a child of Nigerian parents, Bernardine Evaristo was exposed to diverse cultural influences from an early age. She developed a love for writing, drawing, and music, which would later shape her multifaceted career. Evaristo's upbringing also instilled in her a strong sense of identity and the importance of exploring one's roots.
Major Accomplishments
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Throughout her illustrious career, Bernardine Evaristo has achieved numerous milestones:
Awards: She was awarded the 2019 Booker Prize for _Girl, Woman, Other_, becoming the first black woman to win this prestigious award.
Literary Impact: Her works often blend elements of poetry, prose, and visual art, pushing boundaries in contemporary literature. Evaristo's writing frequently explores themes of identity, culture, and social justice.
Innovative Spirit: She is recognized for her innovative approach to storytelling, which often blends traditional forms with modern styles.Notable Works or Actions
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Some notable works by Bernardine Evaristo include:
_The Emperor's Babe_ (2001): A critically acclaimed novel that reimagines the life of a young African woman in 17th-century London.
_Lara_ (1997): A short story collection exploring themes of identity, culture, and belonging.
_Girl, Woman, Other_ (2019): The Booker Prize-winning novel that explores the lives of twelve black British women through poetry and prose.
Impact and Legacy
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Bernardine Evaristo's contributions to literature have been groundbreaking:
Diversity in Literature: Her work has helped increase representation of diverse voices and experiences in mainstream literature.
Innovative Storytelling: Evaristo's unique approach to storytelling has inspired a new generation of writers to experiment with form and style.
Cultural Significance: She continues to be a prominent figure in the literary world, using her platform to advocate for social justice and cultural awareness.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Bernardine Evaristo is widely quoted and remembered due to her:
Unconventional Style: Her innovative approach to storytelling has garnered attention from readers and critics alike.
Socially Relevant Works: Evaristo's writing often tackles pressing social issues, making her a respected voice in contemporary literature.
Trailblazing Spirit: As the first black woman to win the Booker Prize, she continues to break barriers and pave the way for future generations of writers.
Quotes by Bernardine Evaristo
Bernardine Evaristo's insights on:
Yazz was the miracle she never thought she wanted, and having a child really did complete her, something she rarely confided because it somehow seemed anti-feminist.
What matters most to me, is that I know how I feel, and the rest of the world might catch up one day, even if it’ll be a quiet revolution over longer than my lifetime, if it happens at all.
Megan should have been grateful and accepted her cute status, what girl doesn’t want to be told how lovely she is, how special? except it felt wrong, even at a young age, something in her realized that her prettiness was supposed to make her compliant, and when she wasn’t, when she rebelled, she was letting down all those invested in her being adorable.
Winsome likes the fact that Rachel is curious enough to know who her grandmother was before she was a mother, when she was a person in her own right, as she described it except she never has been, first she was a daughter, then a wife and mother, and now also a grandmother and great-grandmother.
You lucky I ain’t taking a hammer to you, but you’re not worth a life sentence.
African peoples were referred to as black long after the word made its appearance in the English language, so it makes no sense to retroactively impose racist connotations on to its everyday usage, and if you do, you’re going to drive yourself mad and, I’m sorry to say, everyone else with you.
He’ll be moulded by America, that’s for sure, just by being there. He won’t even be aware it’s happening. He’ll be filled with the American sense of self-belief, and the sense of can-do, and the Harvard sense of entitlement.
Amma experienced commitment to one person as imprisonment, she hadn’t left home for a life of freedom and adventure to end up chained to another person’s desires.
Some folk have to react against something: parents, siblings, government, society. They think they have free will, when all they doing is wilfully opposing.