Caroline Dawson (December 12, 1979 – May 19, 2024) was a Chilean-born Canadian writer, whose debut novel Là où je me terre was published in 2020.Dominic Tardif, "«Là où je me terre»: la colère et la gratitude de Caroline Dawson". Le Devoir, January 9, 2021.
Biography Born in Valparaíso, Chile, she was exiled to Montreal, Quebec, in 1986 with her family as refugees from the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet.Marie-France Bornais, "Caroline Dawson parle avec humour et justesse de l'immigration et de l'adaptation à une nouvelle vie dans son premier album jeunesse". Le Journal de Québec, February 24, 2024. She was the sister of writer Nicholas Dawson."La complicité culturelle entre Caroline et Nicholas Dawson". Ici Radio-Canada Première, February 14, 2023.
Dawson studied sociology at the Université de Montréal, and then taught sociology courses at Cégep Édouard-Montpetit.
Dawson died of bone cancer on May 19, 2024, at the age of 44.Félix Desjardins, "L'écrivaine Caroline Dawson s'éteint à 44 ans". Le Journal de Montréal, May 20, 2024.
Career Là où je me terre, an autofiction about her own journey as an immigrant, was published in November 2020. The novel was defended by Michel Marc Bouchard in the 2021 edition of Le Combat des livres."Michèle Audette remporte le Combat national des livres 2021 avec Kukum". Ici Radio-Canada, May 7, 2021.
As the Andes Disappeared, an English translation by Anita Anand of Là où je me terre, was published in 2023 by Book*hug.Emily Mernin, "As the Andes Disappeared". Quill & Quire, December 2023.
In 2023, she published the poetry collection Ce qui est tu,Dominic Tardif, "Demain habite déjà Caroline Dawson". La Presse, February 11, 2023. and in 2024, she published the children's book Partir de loin.
Awards and honours Là où je me terre, winner of the Prix littéraire des collégiens in 2022.Manon Dumais, "Caroline Dawson remporte le 19e Prix littéraire des collégiens". Le Devoir, April 8, 2022. As the Andes Disappeared, shortlisted for the 2024 Amazon.ca First Novel Award.Cassandra Drudi, "2024 Amazon First Novel Award shortlist revealed". Quill & Quire, May 9, 2024.
Legacy In May 2024, just a few days before Dawson's death, the French division of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation announced the creation of the Prix Caroline-Dawson, a literary award to honour works by emerging writers.Élise Jetté, "Le prix littéraire Caroline Dawson récompensera des personnes issues de la diversité". Radio Canada International, May 14, 2024.
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