Press Release
"The Secret Life of Words" wins John Llewellyn Rhys Prize 25/11/2008
The Secret Life of Words by Henry Hitchings (John Murray) won the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize last night. The Prize is amongst the oldest and most prestigious book awards, for an author under 35 (past winners at the start of their careers have been Elizabeth Jane Howard, V S Naipaul, Angela Carter, David Hare, Andrew Motion, Jeanette Winterson and David Mitchell) and is open to every category - the shortlist this year included the Booker winner, The White Tiger.
The chair of the judges described The Secret Life of Words as ' big and important; a landmark in many ways, which will be read and enjoyed for years'.
John Murray have just published the author’s bluffer's guide, How to Really Talk About Books You Haven't Read, and have his new book, about the usage and evolution of English contracted for publication in 2010.