Tania Branigan, a leader writer for The Guardian, has been awarded the prestigious £60k Cundill History Prize for her book Red Memory. The book focuses on the haunting and rarely heard stories of individuals who lived through China’s Cultural Revolution, shedding light on the ongoing trauma experienced by millions of people. Branigan’s sensitive study of the impact of the Cultural Revolution captivated the judges, who praised her for her vivid description of the trauma. The cash prize of $75,000 is the largest ever awarded for a work of nonfiction in English.
The Cultural Revolution, initiated by Mao Zedong in 1966, was a violent movement aimed at solidifying his control over the Communist party. It continued until Mao’s death in 1976 and led to the deaths of two million people, as well as the persecution of another 36 million for their perceived anti-Maoist views. Red Memory provides an intimate and poignant account of this tumultuous period in Chinese history.
Judge Adam Gopnik described Branigan’s book as haunting, evoking memories, many of them horrific, that have been suppressed or repressed by the Chinese Communist party over the years. The book highlights how violent ruptures in the social fabric can seemingly heal themselves but leave a lasting scar.
Two other finalists, Kate Cooper with Queens of a Fallen World: The Lost Women of Augustine’s Confessions and James Morton Turner with Charged: A History of Batteries and Lessons for a Clean Energy Future, were also recognized and received $10,000 each. The judging panel included historians Marie Favereau, Sol Serrano, Eve M Troutt Powell, and Coll Thrush alongside Gopnik and chair Philippa Levine.
Red Memory has been shortlisted for this year’s Baillie Gifford prize and the British Academy prize for non-fiction. Branigan, who spent seven years as a correspondent for The Guardian in China, skillfully weaves together the stories of the individuals she interviewed, allowing readers to connect with them on a deep level. This powerful combination of storytelling and historical anthropology has made the book an incredibly compelling read.
The Cundill History Prize, previously awarded to renowned authors such as Anne Applebaum, Julia Lovell, and Stuart Schwartz, recognizes outstanding works of nonfiction. Last year’s winner was Tiya Miles for All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley’s Sack, a Black Family Keepsake.
Overall, Tania Branigan’s book Red Memory has received well-deserved recognition for its poignant portrayal of the ongoing trauma caused by China’s Cultural Revolution. With its powerful storytelling and ability to resonate with readers, it stands as an important contribution to the understanding of this dark chapter in history.
