Giller Prize 2002: Complete list of winners

The 2002 Giller Prize for Fiction went to Austin Clarke for The Polished Hoe, a landmark moment that brought Caribbean-Canadian literature into the spotlight of Canada’s most prestigious literary award. Clarke’s debut novel, set in Barbados and exploring themes of colonialism, class, and identity through the voice of a single protagonist reflecting on her life, resonated deeply with the Giller Prize jury that year. The novel’s lyrical prose and unflinching examination of historical trauma marked it as a significant addition to the Canadian literary canon, even as it drew inspiration from the author’s own heritage and lived experience.

The Giller Prize, established in 1994 and named after the Toronto Star’s founding book critic Jalna Giller, has long served as a barometer for the state of Canadian fiction. The 2002 Giller Prize winner demonstrated the award’s commitment to recognizing ambitious, formally inventive novels that challenge readers and expand the boundaries of what Canadian literature could encompass. Clarke’s win was particularly significant for its validation of diasporic voices and postcolonial narratives within the country’s literary establishment—a recognition that would help reshape conversations about whose stories matter in Canadian fiction.

Below, you’ll find the complete list of the 2002 Giller Prize winner and finalists.

Fiction

• The Polished Hoe by Austin Clarke