Edem Awumey

Edem Awumey is a distinguished Togolese-Canadian writer and university teacher, whose literary journey began in Togo and flourished in France. Since relocating to Gatineau, Quebec in two thousand five, he has made significant contributions to the world of literature.

His debut novel, Port-Mélo, garnered critical acclaim, winning the Grand prix littéraire d'Afrique noire in two thousand six. Following this success, his second novel, Les Pieds sales, was nominated for the prestigious Prix Goncourt in two thousand nine. The English translation, Dirty Feet, by Lazer Lederhendler, also received accolades, being shortlisted for the 2011 Governor General's Award for French to English translation and the 2012 ReLit Award for fiction.

Awumey continued to captivate readers with his subsequent works, including Rose déluge, published in two thousand eleven, and Explication de la nuit, released in two thousand thirteen. He also authored Tierno Monénembo: le roman de l'exil, a critical examination of Tierno Monénembo's literary contributions.

In two thousand eighteen, the English translation of Explication de la nuit, titled Descent Into Night, won the Governor General's Award for French to English translation, awarded to Phyllis Aronoff and Howard Scott. His most recent novel, Mina parmi les ombres, was published in the fall of two thousand eighteen and was shortlisted for the Governor General's Award for French-language fiction at the 2019 Governor General's Awards.