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Recent comments:

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  Helen
  August 1st, 2009 @22:10 #
   
  
  

  Okay, now I AM impressed with Twitter, which is how I followed this with bated breath...yay! Am thrilled for Anne and Peter! (Ben-E, be bold and go and give Anne a hug from me, if you can get past the admiring throngs.) But who were the runner-ups? My fingers still crossed for Whiplash and a very glam-looking Colleen...

  
  
• 
  Colleen
  August 2nd, 2009 @07:37 #
   
  
  

  "The winner takes it all" - being on the short list is being a runner up. Anne's win is well deserved, The Rowing Lesson is a wonderful book.

  Tracey and I were utterly thrilled to be runners-up. Whiplash Rising out of nowhere to be on the shortlist. Brilliant. The evening was nerve-wracking once the 'business part of the evening' started. What a glam affair. A fabulously chic chef, and chowder served in divine crusty bread rolls were part of what was on offer to eat.

  I sat next to Justice Malema and Fred Khumalo, both were divinely charming, and fascinating to talk to. My date for the evening was my old friend, Graeme Reid, (the slightly older one) as the younger is in the US at Yale. Graeme knew 'everyone'. Shew now I can relax, the last couple of days have been a bit tense, just with the anxiety of it all.

  Don't miss Njabulo Ndebele's speech, he is such a deeply thoughtful wise man. Huge highlight of the evening hearing him talk. It's in today's Sunday Times, but no doubt Ben will post it.

  
  
• 
  Colleen
  August 2nd, 2009 @07:50 #
   
  
  

  I got to congratulate both winners, Anne looked even more shiningly beautiful than she normally does and Peter Harris is a real somebody. When you talk to him he makes real, extended eye contact, quite rare.

  
  
• 
  Alex - 'Camel'
  August 2nd, 2009 @07:56 #
   
  
  

  Mazeltov and Huzzah! Brilliant winners, runners up and shortlisters - fantastic all.

  
  
• 
  Colleen
  August 2nd, 2009 @08:05 #
   
  
  

  Oh no, what a faux pas, Justice Malala. Sorry Justice. Please edit for me if you can Ben.

  
  
• 
  Jassy
  August 2nd, 2009 @08:47 #
   
  
  

  Justice Malema, hahaha Colleen, too funny to edit, surely? Congrats on being a finalist, and well done to both winners... thoroughly deserving. I sent my copy of In A Different Time to my sisters who emigrated to New Zealand. Just to let them know what a privileged life they had while they were here, and how unaware we all were of what was really going on.

  
  
• 
  Maire
  August 2nd, 2009 @12:51 #
   
  
  

  Congrats to the winners and to those short-listed - a truly impressive line-up!

  
  
• 
  Lauren Beukes
  August 2nd, 2009 @14:19 #
   
  
  

  Fantastic! Two of the hardcore lit experts I know had already picked out those two, separately to win. If only I'd frigging bet... Congratulations to all, winners and short listees. May sales tear through the ceiling, the roof, the atmosphere and beat-out Spud and assorted sports biographies combined.

  
  
• 
  Fiona
  August 2nd, 2009 @17:26 #
   
  
  

  Well done to both winners. The field was extremely strong. Darryl Accone is right to say that SA lit is in a state of rude health.

  
  

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