Controversial book wins World Fantasy award

05 November 2009

Margo Lanagan's 'Tender Morsels' shares the Best Novel Prize at the World Fantasy Awards with Jeffrey Ford's 'The Shadow Year'.

Teen book, Tender Morsels is a twisted reworking of the Snow White and Rose Red fairytale, which has received both praise and condemnation for its challenging themes. Tender Morsels follows 15-year old Liga who goes through gang-rape, miscarriage and sexual abuse from her father, before escaping to a better world where she raises her two children.

There has been a great deal of controversy surrounding the book, some believe that children do not have the maturity to deal with such shocking themes, but others have praised its approach to real life issues. There has also been differing opinions in the news, with The Daily Mail calling it "sordid wretchedness", but the Guardian hailing it as "funny, tragic, wise, tender and beautifully written".

World Fantasy awards also went to Shaun Tan who won the best artist prize, while Ford picked up a second prize, the Best Collection Award for The Drowned Life.