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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 18 OCTOBER 2015 38 This Week JAMAICAN author Marlon James won the Man Booker Prize 2015 for his novel A Brief History of Seven Killings. The novel was inspired by the attempted assassination of Bob Marley in the 1970s, and it was described as "the most exciting" book on the shortlist by chair of the judges Michael Wood. "It's very exciting, very violent, full of swearing. It was a book we didn't actually have any difficulty deciding on – it was a unanimous decision, a little bit to our sur- prise," Wood said. The novel has many fans and it has enjoyed the support of many critics with web editor at Foyles bookshops, Jonathan Ruppin call- ing it "an ingeniously structured feat of storytelling," among oth- ers. James was announced the £50,000 winner on Tuesday night at London's Guildhall and inter- national media report that he is the first Jamaican author to win the prestigious award. Receiving the award, he said a huge part of the novel had been inspired by reggae music. "The reggae singers Bob Marley and Peter Tosh were the first to recognise that the voice coming out our mouths was a legitimate voice for fiction and poetry." The 44-year-old author was pre- sented with his prize by the Duch- ess of Cornwall and admitted it was "so surreal" to win. He dedi- cated the award to his late father who he said, had shaped his "liter- ary sensibilities". The novel uses the true story of the attempt on the life of reggae star Marley to explore the turbu- lent world of Jamaican gangs and politics. Other books on the shortlist were Tom McCarthy's Satin Is- land, Chigozie Obioma's The Fish- ermen, Sunjeev Sahota's The Year of the Runaways, Anne Tyler's A Spool of Blue Thread and Hanya Yanagihara's A Little Life. This year marks the second year the prize has been open to all au- thors writing in English, regard- less of nationality, after Austral- ian author Richard Flanagan won last year's prize for his wartime novel The Narrow Road to the Deep North. James, currently lives in Minne- apolis, US, can expect a dramatic boost in sales following his win. After A Brief History of Seven Killings was named on the Booker shortlist last month sales tripled to more than 1,000 copies a week, ac- cording to Nielsen Book Research. Jamaican writer Marlon James wins Man Booker Prize 2015 I Joseph Brincat, a 28 year old, have just terminated my participation in the LEAP Project Traineeship Scheme for Beneficiar- ies. During this period, I was an inmate at Corradino Correctional Facility. This project was significant to me as it paved the way for my employment. After my release, I feel that I am now a better person than before. Such opportunities are priceless for personal growth. Hence, my appeal is that similar projects are made even more available to others who are in the same situation as I was. For this opportunity, I am deeply grateful! ESF 3.234 LEAP PROJECT The experience that I, Carmen Sammut, had during my traineeship with LEAP was very positive and informative, because I had the opportunity to acquire different skills. My main duties consisted of planning and helping out in activities such as sending invitations and making telephone calls. I mostly enjoyed activities related to cooking, crafts and art work as I discovered I can be very creative. In fact this experience helped me gain and improve my skills. I also liked the fact that I met different people from all walsks of life, integrated with different cultures and worked in a team. This experience helped me find a job and understand how to adapt for work and be more responsible. I am Antoine Spiteri. I can say that the last eight months were, for me, a period in which I appreciated life and work! Today I can state that work gives me strength and makes me feel better. Thanks. Operational Programme II – Cohesion Policy 2007-2013 Empowering People for More Jobs and a Better Quality of Life Project part-financed by the European Union European Social Fund (ESF) Co-financing rate: 85% EU Funds; 15% National Funds Investing in your future mfss.gov.mt/leap Marlon James holding the Man Booker Prize 2015, awarded to him for the novel A Brief History of Seven Killings