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American novelist A.M. Homes has won this year's Women's Prize for Fiction with her sixth novel, "May We Be Forgiven."
Homes beat bookmakers' favorite Hilary Mantel and three other finalists to win the $45,000) prize, awarded Wednesday at a ceremony in London's Royal Festival Hall.
Previously known as the Orange Prize, the prize is one of Britain’s most prestigious literary awards.
Actress Miranda Richardson, who chaired a panel of judges, praised Home's novel, a story about two brothers, as a "dazzling, original, viscerally funny black comedy" and a "subversion of the American dream."
It defeated Mantel's Tudor saga "Bring Up the Bodies"; Barbara Kingsolver's "Flight Behavior"; Zadie Smith's "NW"; and Marie Semple's "Where'd You Go, Bernadette?"
The award, in its 18th year, celebrates writing by women in English from around the world.
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The Tonys aren't until Sunday, but when it comes to achievement in dance, "Pippin" and "Motown the Musical" are already at the head of the pack. Both dancers and choreographers from the two shows won Fred and Adele Astaire Awards Monday night for their achievement this Broadway season. From "Pippin," Charlotte d'Amboise took the trophy for best female dancer in her role as Fastrada, Pippin's scheming (and high-kicking) mother-in-law. And Eric LaJuan Summers won best male dancer for his portrayal of singer Jackie Wilson in "Motown." For best choreography, Chet Walker, who recreated the Bob Fosse choreography in the "Pippin" revival, tied with Patricia Wilcox and Warren Adams of "Motown."
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British actor and writer Stephen Fry says he attempted suicide last year while filming abroad.
In an interview recorded with comic Richard Herring, Fry said he took "a huge number of pills" with vodka and was found unconscious by his producer in his hotel room. In the podcast interview, parts of which were available on the BBC website Wednesday, Fry said the suicide attempt made his body convulse so much that he broke four ribs. He did not give more details, but tweeted Wednesday he is "now fine."
Fry, who suffers from bipolar disorder, said in the interview that as president of a mental health charity he wants to be open about his problems.
In a BBC documentary, he recounted attempting suicide in 1995 after quitting a West End play.
Associated Press
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