Ryad Assani-Razaki
Ryad Assani-Razaki (born November 4, 1981) is a Beninese-Canadian writer.[1] His debut short story collection Deux cercles won the Trillium Book Award for French-language fiction in 2010,[2] and his novel La main d'Iman won the Prix Robert-Cliche in 2011[3] and was shortlisted for the Governor General's Award for French-language fiction in 2012.[4]
Ryad Assani-Razaki | |
---|---|
Born | Cotonou, Benin |
Occupation | Novelist, short story writer |
Nationality | Beninese, Canadian |
Period | 2010s–present |
Born in Cotonou, Benin, Assani-Razaki first moved to North America in 1999, to study computer science at the University of North Carolina.[1] After graduating in 2002, he struggled to find a job until registering for a master's in computer science at the Université de Montréal in 2004.[1] He wrote his first short story in 2006, after witnessing an Asian man struggle to order food in a fast food restaurant because of his difficulties with the language.[1] Deux cercles was published in 2009.[1]
References
- "Newcomers' struggles on book-award short list: Toronto resident wins nod for 11 stories inspired by individuals he met while an illegal immigrant". Toronto Star, June 22, 2010.
- "Good things happen when you follow through; Trillium Prize; Karen Solie, Ian Brown among winners". National Post, June 25, 2010.
- "Ryad Assani-Razaki: le rêve d'ailleurs". La Presse, August 26, 2011.
- "Littérature - Les noms des finalistes aux Prix du Gouverneur général sont dévoilés". Le Devoir, October 3, 2012.