Diego Garcia – WINNER OF THE GOLDSMITHS PRIZE 2022

In the evocative landscape of Edinburgh, 2014, two writer friends, Damaris and Oliver Pablo, navigate the turbulent waters of their creative struggles and personal losses. As they seek to escape their pasts and find inspiration, they encounter Diego, a poet whose roots lie deep in the Chagos Archipelago. Diego's poignant narrative of displacement, stemming from the British military's actions in 1973, captures the imagination of the duo.

The Plot

As Damaris and Oliver delve into Diego's story, they are drawn into the intricate history of the Chagossian people, a community marked by resilience in the face of adversity. The novel weaves together themes of memory, identity, and the ethical implications of storytelling, forcing the characters—and the readers—to confront the complexities of representing voices that have been silenced.

Themes and Style

Fitzcarraldo Editions explores profound themes of belonging and loss through lyrical prose and rich imagery. The narrative encourages reflection on the power dynamics inherent in the act of storytelling, as well as the importance of acknowledging histories often overlooked. The character-driven exploration resonates with readers who appreciate works that challenge the boundaries of narrative and voice.

Awards

Having won the Goldsmiths Prize in 2022, Diego Garcia stands as a testament to innovative storytelling and the importance of cultural memory. Readers who enjoyed Milkman by Anna Burns or The Discomfort of Evening by Marieke Lucas Rijneveld may find resonances in the themes and narrative style of this poignant novel.

"A powerful exploration of displacement and the intricacies of narrative." - Literary Review