Dolman Travel Book of the Year announced
7th July 2010
An exploration of the ‘corrupted Eden’ of modern Jamaica was last night awarded the UK's only annual prize for travel books
An exploration of the ‘corrupted Eden’ of modern Jamaica was last night awarded the UK's only annual prize for travel books.
Ian Thomson’s The Dead Yard was named Dolman Travel Book of the Year at a reception at London’s Arts Club. Accepting a cheque for £2,500, Thomson drew laughter by claiming the award would allow his family to go on a real holiday this year “instead of camping again – in the back garden”.
The Dead Yard traces the post-colonial history of Jamaica through a series of vivid encounters on the Caribbean island and among immigrants in London. Based on Thomson’s visits over two years, the book explores Jamaica’s vibrant reggae and Rastafarian cultures, as well as the drug-related violence that has made parts of the capital, Kingston, no-go areas.
The book takes its cue from an elderly Jamaican woman who tells Thomson: “You visitors are always getting it wrong. Either it’s golden beaches, or its guns, guns, guns. Is there nothing in between?”
Thomson, who lives in London with his wife and children, has previously written an acclaimed book on Haiti, titled Bonjour Blanc.
The Dead Yard edged victory over a seven-strong shortlist, reflecting a bumper year for travel books. Wanderlust editor Dan Linstead was among the judges choosing the eventual winner. “It was a very close call, because the shortlist was so diverse. Travel writing is an incredibly broad genre, calling on aspects of memoir, politics, history and nature writing," he said.
"All the titles on the shortlist transported us to places we knew little about, and each had its champion among the judges. It’s tremendously exciting to see so many talented writers bringing fresh energy and ideas to travel literature.”
The Dolman prize is administered by the Author’s Club, and named after club member Bill Dolman, who inaugurated the award in 2006 and who donates the prize money.
Following the demise of the long-running Thomas Cook award in 2004, it is the only award in the UK recognising travel literature.