Oprah's Book Club October Pick: Debut Novel 'Hungered' by Amanda Rizkalla
Oprah Winfrey's Book Club has named its October pick: "Hungered," the debut novel by 28-year-old Amanda Rizkalla, published by Henry Holt and Co. USA Today reported on October 6 that it is the club's 125th selection and the first since Winfrey kicked off her 30th book club anniversary celebrations.
"Hungered" is a coming-of-age novel following 12-year-old Sofia, who lives in a car with her mother and younger brother. Sofia's days pass among freeways and strip malls while her mother looks for a safe place to park each night. She awaits the days her mother promised: her own bedroom, going back to school, seeing her friends.
"A riveting new novel from first-time author Amanda Rizkalla compassionately tackles the difficult subject of families who live outside the margins, living unhoused, and makes us see not only their struggles, but their hopes, dreams, and the perseverance it takes to face another day," Winfrey said in a statement.
Rizkalla is a Steinbeck Fellow and Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing Fellow who earned her MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "Hungered" is her first novel. On learning the news, Rizkalla said: "I am honored beyond words that my debut novel Hungered has been selected for Oprah's Book Club. I never, ever imagined something like this could happen for my book – and then Oprah called!"
Many of Winfrey's recent picks have come from longtime favorite established authors, making this debut selection a notable endorsement of a new voice.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
