The American University in Cairo Press proudly announces that A Stranger in Baghdad by Elizabeth Loudon has won the 2024 International Fiction Book Award at the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF).
A Stranger in Baghdad was also named one of 51 Favorite Books of 2023 by the Washington Independent Review of Books and Longlisted for the Bridport Novel Award.
The novel is an intergenerational drama rendered in beautiful prose featuring the struggles of a mother and daughter to navigate as outsiders in Baghdad and London.
Praised by the Washington Independent Review of Books, which described the novel as “an intimate, intricate portrait of how people’s lives are jostled and remade… an engrossing read.”
The Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), held annually at the Sharjah Expo Centre in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, is one of the world’s largest literary events. It hosts a suite of prestigious literary awards, celebrating significant contributions to writing and publishing, with categories spanning regional, and international literature, including international fiction, nonfiction, and publishing. The SIBF awards honor outstanding contributions to both Arabic and international literature, encouraging creativity and cultural exchange.
Upon receiving the award, Elizabeth Loudon said, “I was absolutely delighted to learn that A Stranger in Baghdad has won the 2024 Sharjah International Book Fair award for best international novel. The characters in this novel mean so much to me. I’m grateful to the judges for helping to share this story of Baghdad as it used to be before the recent invasions and wars, and of the complicated—and often troubled—relationship between Britain and Iraq.”
AUC Press Executive Director, Thomas Willshire, commented on the news of the award saying: “We are thrilled that our literature imprint, Hoopoe, has another prize-winning title. Elizabeth Loudon’s A Stranger in Baghdad tells a compelling story from the Middle East, and particularly from the heart of Iraq, perfectly aligning with Hoopoe’s mission to publish significant narratives and cross-border voices while showcasing distinguished literary works. The novel has been warmly embraced by readers and book clubs, reflecting a strong interest in stories from the Middle East.”
Also commenting on the news of the award, AUC Press Senior Acquisitions Editor Nadine El-Hadi said, “A Stranger in Baghdad exemplifies our mission as a publisher to foster literary excellence and to champion diverse voices and stories from and about the Middle East. This award is a testament to our collective effort to bring compelling narratives to the global stage. Elizabeth Loudon’s sweeping historical novel conjures up mid-twentieth century Iraq in vivid, eloquent prose. An intergenerational and cross-cultural saga, filled with mystery and intrigue, we are thrilled that this stunning debut has been recognized by this award.”
