Isabel Allende awarded Chile's National Literature Prize

Isabel Allende awarded Chile's National Literature Prize -- Writer Isabel Allende, born in Peru and living now in the United States but of Chilean descent, has won Chile's 2010 National Literature Prize. The award was announced by Education Minister Joaquin Lavin on Thursday.

According to the Latin American Herald Tribune, Ms. Allende's books have sold over 55 million copies around the world and have been translated into 27 languages.  In citing her contributions to Chile's literature, Mr. Lavin said Ms. Allende "has given renewed value to the role of the reader" not only in Chile but also around the world.

Ms. Allende's work has suffered in the opinion of critics from her homeland, who say she writes bestsellers rather than serious literature. "You're never a prophet in your own land," the writer commented.

EarthTimes reports that the author admitted she would never have received the award had it been based solely on the opinion of her Chilean colleagues but this honor was in the hands of readers.  LAHT reports her saying that the award "is undoubtedly the most important prize" she has received thus far in her career as a novelist.

Ms. Allende, who is the author of The House of the Spirits, Eva Luna, City of the Beasts, and many other works, currently resides in California.

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Connie Ann Kirk is the author of 10 books and has a Ph.D. in English. She is currently at work on a novel and a screenplay. Check out all of her National Examiner columns in Arts & Entertainment: Books on Film; Literature; Emily Dickinson; and Young Adult Pop Culture. Feel free any time to visit Connie's website at www.connieannkirk.com.

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