Giller Prize 2010: Complete list of winners

The 2010Giller Prize for Fiction crowned Johanna Skibsrud’s debut novel The Sentimentalists as the year’s most distinguished work of Canadian literature. It was a striking choice—Skibsrud’s introspective family saga about memory, aging, and the unbridgeable distances between parents and children had quietly resonated with the jury, beating out more established voices to claim the $50,000 prize. The win launched an accomplished writer onto the wider literary stage and signaled the Giller’s ongoing commitment to championing literary depth over commercial appeal.

By 2010, the Giller Prize had solidified its reputation as one of Canada’s most prestigious book awards, recognizing excellence in English-language fiction. Skibsrud’s victory felt particularly significant because it represented the kind of understated, emotionally intelligent storytelling that the award has traditionally celebrated—work that demands something from readers but offers profound rewards in return. Her win joined a legacy of Canadian literary achievement, placing her among previous Giller winners known for their craft and thematic ambition.

Below you’ll find the complete details of the 2010 Giller Prize fiction winner and discover what made Skibsrud’s work stand out to the judges that year.

Fiction

• The Sentimentalists by Johanna Skibsrud