Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow

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Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow is a British writer whose debut novel, All the Little Bird-Hearts , was longlisted for the 2023 Booker Prize. Her work is informed by her background as an autistic woman and activities supporting people with autism; her writing is noted for its introspective tone and lyrical style.

Contents

Biography

Lloyd-Barlow obtained her PhD in creative writing from the University of Kent, with Amy Sackville serving as her doctoral adviser. [1] Lloyd-Barlow's debut novel, All the Little Bird-Hearts, was developed as a result of her PhD studies. [1]

The novel tells of a friendship that develops between Sunday, an autistic woman living in a Lake District home, and her newly arrived eccentric neighbor Vita, who emigrated from London with her husband Rollo. The friendship between the two women eventually sours as Sunday's daughter Dolly begins to favor the relationship with Vita while neglecting her mother.

James Smart, writing for The Guardian , described the work as a "tightly focused story, set almost entirely in two neighbouring houses on a quiet street, that's also a gleeful skewering of social codes, a raw portrait of family life and a revealing account of neurodivergence." [2]

She became the first autistic author to be nominated for a Booker Prize with the novel's longlisting in 2023. [3]

Awards

The Booker Prize judging panel stated All the Little Bird-Hearts was a "lyrical and poignant debut novel [that] offers a deft exploration of motherhood, vulnerability and the complexity of human relationships." [4] The novel was awarded the 2024 Authors' Club Best First Novel Award for the most promising debut novel by a UK or Irish based author that is initially published in the UK. Guest judge Samira Ahmed selected the winning work from a shortlist curated by Authors' Club members, with a ceremony being held in May 2024 at the National Liberal Club in London. [5]

Bibliography

References

  1. 1 2 "Former Creative Writing PhD student longlisted for Booker Prize". News Centre - University of Kent. 17 August 2023.
  2. Smart, James (31 August 2023). "All the Little Bird-Hearts by Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow review – a mesmerising debut". The Guardian.
  3. Mazumdar, Arunima (29 September 2023). "Interview: Victoria Lloyd-Barlow, author, All The Little Bird-Hearts". Hindustan Times.
  4. "All the Little Bird-Hearts The Booker Prizes". thebookerprizes.com. 2 March 2023.
  5. "2024 Best First Novel Award Winner Announced". The Authors' Club Since 1891. 22 May 2024.
  6. "All the Little Bird-Hearts". 4 September 2023.