Madhuri Vijay's debut novel 'The Far Field' wins 2019 JCB prize for Literature

US based-Indian author Madhuri Vijay's debut novel, The Far Field on Saturday bagged this year's JCB prize for Literature, the most expensive Indian award for writing.

Vijay's debut novel that follows one young woman's search for a lost figure from her childhood, a journey that carries her from southern India to Kashmir and to the brink of a devastating political reckoning, was chosen by a five-member jury chaired by Indian filmmaker and environmentalist Pradip Krishen.

He said the decision was taken unanimously by the jury that also comprised author and critic Anjum Hassan, writers K R Meera and Parvati Sharma, and economist and former Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India Arvind Subramanian.

Vijay, who wasn't present at the award ceremony here due to her pregnancy, will receive a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh, along with a a sculpture by Delhi artist duo Thukral & Tagra entitled "Mirror Melting.

The Far Field is an impressively ambitious novel of stunning emotional and .