EPSTEIN VICTIM’S MEMOIR WINS THE TOP PRIZE AT BOOK AWARDS

LONDON. – A posthumous memoir by Virginia Giuffre, one of Jeffrey Epstein’s most prominent accusers, has won the top prize at this year’s British Book Awards.

Nobody’s Girl, co-written with Amy Wallace, was named book of the year in a ceremony held in London on Monday evening.

The memoir, which was published six months after Giuffre took her own life, detailed her encounters with the late sex offender and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell.

Accepting the award, Giuffre’s sister-in-law Amanda Roberts said the book was “a true testament to what a survivor’s voice can do when finally given the space to be heard”.

“She inspired millions, not just to be seen, or survivors to be seen, but she called us to action,” Roberts told the ceremony in a video acceptance speech.

Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts added the family was “truly honoured to accept this award on Virginia’s behalf”, while Wallace said working with Giuffre on the book had been the “honour of my career”.

Nobody’s Girl also included details of Giuffre’s allegations about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, which he has always denied.

The publication of the memoir last October increased pressure on Mountbatten-Windsor and was part of a chain of events that ultimately led to King Charles III removing his brother’s royal titles and honours.

The memoir also picked up the prize for non-fiction narrative book of the year at the event.

Alice O’Keeffe, head of books for The Bookseller and chair of the books of the year, said the judges “championed” Giuffre’s memoir.

“With this award we recognise the late author’s extraordinary courage and determination, supported by [publisher] Doubleday’s sensitive campaign, #BelieveHer,” O’Keeffe said.

Philip Jones, editor of The Bookseller and chair of the judges at the British Book Awards, added: “Our winners represent the very best of the book trade, standing up for the books and the authors when others would try to stand them down.

“The British Book Awards affirms our creatives, our entertainers and our truth-tellers, and we applaud those who did so much to bring their work to the public.”

The winners in full

Overall book of the year: Nobody’s Girl by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, co-written by Amy Wallace

Author of the year: AF Steadman

Illustrator of the year: Dav Pilkey

Fiction: Boleyn Traitor by Philippa Gregory

Debut fiction: The Names by Florence Knapp

Non-fiction: narrative: Nobody’s Girl by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, co-written by Amy Wallace

Non-fiction: Lifestyle & Illustrated: Forgotten Churches by Luke Sherlock

Crime & thriller: A Case of Mice and Murder by Sally Smith

Discover: The Mercy Step by Marcia Hutchinson

Audiobook fiction: Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite, narrated by Weruche Opia, Diana Yekinni and Nnei Opia Clark

Audiobook non-fiction: Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams