Valérie Bah (Rafael Alexandre)

Montreal-based writer Valérie Bah has won the $60,000 Amazon Canada First Novel Award for the novel Subterrane, published by Esplanade Books, an imprint of Véhicule Press.

In his review of the novel in Quill & Quire, Jean Marc Ah-Sen wrote, “Subterrane’s chapters, which are written in distinct styles and voices, [display] Bah’s commitment to the full-blooded individuality of the characters. The high-wire act that dignifies each individual’s motivations and inner conflicts, and creates the illusion that their thoughts are not the product of mere writerly artifice, is the most compelling achievement of the novel.”

The other shortlisted titles, announced last month, were When We Were Ashes by Andrew Boden; Juiceboxers by Benjamin Hertwig; Oil People by David Huebert; How It Works Out by Myriam Lacroix, and I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue.

Each of the finalists receive $6,000.

The Youth Short Story prize was won by 17-year-old Vicky Zhu for her short story, “Suzanne.” The award comes with a $5,000 prize and publication in The Walrus magazine and on thewalrus.ca this year. Each of the finalists receive $500 and publication on The Walrus website.