In a riveting account of resilience and love, a British couple’s harrowing experience of being shipwrecked in the vast Pacific Ocean has clinched the prestigious Gold Prize at this year’s Nero Book Awards ceremony.
“Saga of Survival: Maurice and Maralyn – A True Story of Shipwreck, Endurance, and Affection,” penned by the talented author Sophie Elmhirst, emerged as the standout choice, securing the coveted £30,000 award on Wednesday.
The narrative follows the extraordinary journey of Maurice and Maralyn Bailey, who dared to embark on a grand adventure by selling their home in Derbyshire to construct a boat bound for New Zealand in 1972. However, their dreams were shattered when tragedy struck, leading to a gripping 118-day ordeal at sea after their vessel was destroyed by a whale.
Renowned author Bill Bryson, leading the panel of judges, hailed the book as “a captivating account of survival and the unyielding nature of the human spirit.” The Baileys, eager explorers in search of excitement, encountered adversity en route to the Galapagos Islands the following year, setting off a chain of events that would test their mettle like never before.
As their boat succumbed to the force of the sea, the resourceful couple managed to deploy a modest 4-foot life raft and salvage meager supplies. Maralyn’s ingenuity shone through as she fashioned a fishing line from a safety pin and a length of string, subsisting on a diet of raw fish, turtles, and small sharks.
To stave off boredom and maintain their sanity amidst the vast expanse of the ocean, she devised card games, crafted makeshift dominoes from scraps of paper, and kept detailed accounts of their journey in a diary. Elmhirst’s in-depth research, drawing from Maralyn’s personal writings and Maurice’s post-rescue publications, breathed life into their extraordinary tale.
Earning acclaim in January by triumphing in the Non-Fiction category, Elmhirst’s work has now ascended to the pinnacle as the Gold Prize winner for Book of the Year 2024. Bryson lauded the book for its “novelistic narrative style, offering a gripping portrayal of a forgotten yet remarkable story of human endurance and love.”
Captivating readers with its understated yet powerful prose, the story delves into the dynamics of a relationship under extreme duress, showcasing the unwavering bond between Maurice and Maralyn throughout their perilous journey.
Joining Bryson on the judging panel were esteemed novelist Bernardine Evaristo and accomplished journalist Emily Maitlis, who unanimously agreed on the exceptional literary merit of “Maurice and Maralyn” as a work of non-fiction that transcends conventional boundaries.
Formerly known as the Costa Book Awards, the Nero Book Awards continue to celebrate outstanding literary achievements, recognizing exceptional storytelling and profound
