‘Creative voices across the School’: EM Forster Prose Fiction judge praises boys’ entries
Norse mythology, sport, science fiction, warfare and urban alienation were just some of the themes taken up by Tonbridge boys in the EM Forster Prose Fiction Prize.
This year’s entries were judged by School Librarian Elizabeth Hevey, who was thoroughly impressed with the quality and creativity on display.
The competition is named after the famous novelist and Old Tonbridgian, pictured.
As ever prizes were awarded in three categories: Novi, Intermediate and Sixth Form. Kai Guan (JH1) was the Novi winner for his story, The Winter, which Ms Hevey described as “a poetic reading experience which reflects, ultimately optimistically, on the current concerns about both AI and climate change. A sophisticated piece.”
The Novi entries as whole, she said, “provided a reminder of how wonderful it is when young writers explore the world we have made for them, through their own creations.”
The winner of the Intermediate category was Farlie Willett (Sc3) for Proselytise. “This extremely striking work uses an impressive knowledge of Norse mythology … but remains accessible and, crucially, compelling,” Ms Hevey remarked, adding: “It reads as if it came from the bowels of the earth – a very commanding piece.”
Stanley Southgate (MH4), from the Lower Sixth, was awarded the Senior prize for his “nihilistic masterpiece”, The Cockpit. Ms Hevey wrote: “From the opening sentence, this piece asserts its sense of place. The writer brings us into this intimidating world with huge confidence and uses painterly language – particularly the use of colour – to describe something that (we hope) is far from our own experience in a totally convincing and transportive way.”
She concluded: “This year’s entries were a testament to what a truly exceptional group of writers we have. I was struck by the inventiveness of all the pieces I read and continue to be deeply impressed by the creative voices across the School.”
EM Forster Prose Fiction Prize 2023: Results.
Novi
1st: Kai Guan (JH1), The Winter
2nd: William Ho (PH1), I am a Creature from Outer Space
3rd: Frederick von Danwitz (HS1), The Woman in the Automat
Intermediate (Second and Third Years)
1st: Farlie Willett (Sc3), Proselytise
2nd: Bong-Ra Ndzi (OH3), Untitled
3rd: Max Teh (HS3), After ‘Ulysses: Modernist Description in the style of James Joyce
Sixth Form
1st: Stanley Southgate (MH4), The Cockpit
2nd: Jean Van der Spuy (FH4), Laugh with me
3rd: Michael Nyamali (SH4), The long walk goodnight
Highly commended: Tobe Onyia (FH5), Mr. Hyde
