Alumnus Wins Prestigious Dylan Thomas Prize 

Congratulations to Caleb Azumah Nelson (Brading’s 2012) who has won the world’s largest and most prestigious literary prize for young writers, the Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize, for his second novel, Small Worlds, on 16 May. 

Small Worlds is Caleb’s second novel. It tells an intimate father-son story set between South London and Ghana over the course of three summers. 

Namita Gokhale, Chair of the Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize 2024 judging panel, said: 

“Amid a hugely impressive shortlist that showcased a breadth of genres and exciting new voices, we were unanimous in our praise for this viscerally moving, heartfelt novel. There is a musicality to Caleb Azumah Nelson’s writing, in a book equally designed to be read quietly and listened aloud. Images and ideas recur to beautiful effect, lending the symphonic nature of Small Worlds an anthemic quality, where the reader feels swept away by deeply realised characters as they traverse between Ghana and South London, trying to find some semblance of a home.

Challenging yet exceptionally healing, Small Worlds feels like a balm: honest as it is about the riches and the immense difficulties of living away from your culture." 

Reflecting on what it means to have won, Caleb said: 

“I’m still in a bit of a state of shock, but really, really excited! Just a real sense of joy to have this work recognised in this way, amongst a really beautiful shortlist of writers as well.” 

The win cements Caleb as a rising star in literary fiction, following his acclaimed debut, Open Water, which was shortlisted for the Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize in 2022.  

Very many congratulations Caleb!