Overview

• Sophie Elmhirst's 'Maurice And Maralyn' was awarded the £30,000 Nero Book of the Year prize at a ceremony in London.
• The book tells the true story of a Derby couple shipwrecked in the 1970s and their struggle to survive on a lifeboat for 118 days after their boat was struck by a whale.
• Judges, chaired by Bill Bryson, praised the book's powerful yet understated writing and its exploration of resilience and marital dynamics under extreme stress.
• The story highlights the overlooked contributions of Maralyn, whose strength and determination were pivotal to the couple's survival.
• This marks Elmhirst's first book, following a distinguished journalism career, including a British Press Award win in 2020.