African Studies Association Women's Caucus

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The 2024 Aidoo Snyder Book Prize for creative writing was awarded to The History of a Difficult Child, by Mihret Sibhat (Penguin Random House 2023). This impactful coming-of-age novel was chosen because of its deep character development and compelling narrative. The novel is set in Ethiopia during the Marxist-Leninist dictatorship Derg regime that ruled Ethiopia after Emperor Haile Selassie’s regime had been ousted, and it’s narrator is Selam, the last of six children by Asmelash and Degitu. Selam starts the narrative before her own birth and invites the reader on a journey of discovery about the family she will be born into as well as the society she will grow up in. Given the complexity of the subject matter and Selam’s unique perspective as a child, Sibhat’s narrative is innovative and appealing. Although Selam is the protagonist, Sibhat paints vivid portraits of all the characters, especially Degitu, and her life-long struggles to care for her family after the loss of her family fortunes. Degitu’s health problems, Asmelash’s indifference, the obstacles she faces as a female head of household, and the quirks and foibles of each of her children are all described with the fascination of an innocent child. The indirect depiction of the dangers of living under a brutal military dictatorship were compellingly explored and even, given infusion of humor. 

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The 2025 Aidoo-Snyder Book Prize will be given for the best original scholarly work written by a woman (or women) that prioritizes African women’s experience. To this end, the committee invites nominations from publishers or authors. Self-published books are not eligible, and entries may only be submitted for consideration once. The prize is open to authors who have published books in English and English translation in 2023 and 2024. The books must significantly deal with Africa (including Cape Verde, and the Islands off the West Coast of Africa; Madagascar; and the Indian Ocean Islands of the East African Coast)

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