Toronto poet-novelist Anne Michaels has been awarded the prestigious Giller Prize for her novel "Held," which presents a compelling, multi-generational exploration of war and trauma. The announcement came during the award ceremony held on November 18, 2024, at the Park Hyatt hotel, where Michaels received the coveted honor and the accompanying cash prize of 100,000 Canadian dollars (approximately $71,000).
The Giller Prize, one of Canada's most distinguished literary awards, has previously recognized literary giants such as Margaret Atwood, Mordecai Richler, and Alice Munro. Michaels, known for her lyrical writing and depth of insight, highlighted the importance of unity within the arts community during her acceptance speech. She stressed the need for collaboration across various artistic disciplines, stating, "We need unity, not just with one community, but among all the arts -- to forge practical alliances." This sentiment received enthusiastic applause from the gathered audience.
While the evening celebrated literary achievement, it also occurred under the cloud of protest from some members of the literary community. Outside the venue, demonstrators expressed their discontent with the Giller Foundation's corporate sponsorships, particularly targeting Scotiabank due to its association with Israel and its stake in the arms manufacturer Elbit Systems. The protests reflected broader societal tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the representation of these issues within Canada's cultural institutions.
Michaels's novel "Held" was praised by the jury for its hypnotic and impactful narrative, which navigates themes of mortality, resilience, and the quest for meaning across different generations. The jury emphasized the book's deep exploration of human experiences shaped by historical conflict and personal trauma. Each section of the novel reveals various facets of the characters' lives, inviting readers to reflect on the enduring impact of war across time.
Upon winning the award, Michaels acknowledged the growth of Canadian literature over the years, calling it "one phenomenal assertion." Her call for unity within the arts aligned with the sentiments of many artists and authors, who have recently been vocal about the need for social awareness and accountability within their fields.
Despite the cheers inside the gala, the ceremony was markedly different from previous years, where past events had aired live on CBC. Due to the rising tensions linked to the protests and the boycott led by several prominent Canadian authors, this year's event was pre-taped to avoid disruptions. Speakers at the ceremony, though they refrained from addressing the protests directly, hinted at the social climate's evolution since the prior year's award, which had faced significant upheaval.
Ian Williams, the Giller Prize winner from 2019 and the first presenter of the evening, opened the ceremony with remarks highlighting the current societal tensions. He stated, "We're all to various degrees, tense, confused, hurt, even disappointed with each other. But what hasn't changed is the Giller's commitment to support and promote Canadian fiction." This acknowledgment of the uneasy state within the literary community was coupled with Michaels's own focus on the healing power of storytelling.
The protests outside the gala were organized by CanLit Responds, which advocates for greater sensitivity and responsibility within the arts. Members of this organization, including former Giller nominee Noor Naga, spoke out against what they termed the "art-washing of the Palestinian genocide." Naga emphasized the need for artists to understand the privileges they have and to recognize the responsibilities accompanying their craft, stating, "Our ability to practice our craft with total freedom and safety is a luxury not afforded to all of us. At the very least, we have an obligation to examine the material circumstances under which our work is produced, consumed, and celebrated."
During the protests, participants creatively recreated their own gala, laying down red carpets and donning evening wear as they listened to readings from Palestinian authors. This stark image drew attention to the issues at hand and highlighted the conflicting narratives within the arts community.
Security was heightened around the event, with local police managing both entrances and ensuring the gala proceedings continued without interruption. Prominent attendees included former Toronto mayor John Tory and innovative literary figures, reinforcing the importance of the event, even amid the surrounding unrest.
Michaels's "Held" is not her first foray onto the literary stage; it's actually her third novel following critically acclaimed works such as "Fugitive Pieces" and "The Winter Vault." Her earlier works have garnered substantial recognition, including the Trillium Book Award and the Amazon Canada First Novel Award. While "Held" captivates audiences with its rich storytelling and legacy of trauma, it manages to fit seamlessly within Michaels's impressive body of work, engaging readers with themes of hope and remembrance alongside the shadows of historical conflicts.
Throughout her career, Michaels has continued to demonstrate how literature can offer insight and connection through shared experiences of suffering and healing. By winning the Giller Prize, she not only cements her position as one of Canada’s premier literary voices but also brings to the forefront the current societal challenges facing artists and their responsibilities to their communities.
Anna Rabinovitch, the Giller Prize's executive director and the daughter of the award's founder, reflected on the divisive climate in the arts during her remarks. She noted, "It has been a year of change, division and instability in the arts," underscoring the need for constant dialogue and collaboration among artists to navigate through the changing tides of societal expectations and personal responsibility.
Michaels's words during her acceptance speech resonate far beyond just the literary scene. Her call for unity among artists offers a glimmer of hope amid division and invites reflection on the role of storytelling as both a refuge and as a form of activism. Her win at the Giller Prize not only marks personal achievement but also serves to spotlight the narrative of resilience and the importance of empathetic storytelling, particularly during tumultuous times.
