By Canadian Press

Debut novels about war, urban underground among finalists for Amazon award

May 6, 2025 | 10:31 AM

Writer, poet and past soldier Benjamin Hertwig is among six finalists for the $60,000 Amazon Canada First Novel Award.

Edmonton’s Hertwig made the list for “Juiceboxers,” about four young soldiers serving in Afghanistan, while Quebec’s Valérie Bah is in the running for the speculative comedy “Subterrane,” in which queer and Black characters are sidelined by urban prosperity.

Vancouver-based Myriam Lacroix is a finalist for the genre-bending “How It Works Out,” in which a lesbian couple’s relationship is reimagined through multiple scenarios and Andrew Boden of Burnaby, B.C., makes the list for “When We Were Ashes,” about disabled children in Nazi Germany.

The winner will be announced June 5 at a ceremony in Toronto.

Each finalist will receive $6,000.

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Also in the running are Halifax writer David Huebert for “Oil People,” about two families locked in a bitter rivalry that lasts generations, and Calgary’s Natalie Sue for the tender comedy “I Hope This Finds You Well,” about loneliness and love beyond our computer screens.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 6, 2025.

The Canadian Press