Presented to: Brandon Sanderson
For: Elantris
Brandon Sanderson's debut novel begins with the story of a godlike race, perfect, beautiful, undying, and possessors of a fabulous magic, worshiped for eternity in the city Elantris. Then comes the simple line: "Eternity ended ten years ago." With that, we are swept into the present-a time and a place where governments are corrupt, religious zealotry has seen many die by the sword, and the formerly perfect Elantrians are now diseased, undead creatures trapped inside the once-beautiful city that is now their prison.
This is the story of three people: the prince Raoden, caught by the disease and secretly taken to Elantris; his betrothed wife Sarene, caught in a marriage of state to a man she believes is dead; and the fanatical priest Hrathen, emissary of an empire that seeks to expand by religious conversion. But underlying this story is a remarkable framework of symbolism that operates on a number of levels, from the nature of the Elantrians' illness to the political systems created after its fall. Nothing can be taken for granted here, not appearances, not motivations, not even the nature of reality.
Each of the three main characters begins the story thrust into an unfamiliar society, forced to learn the rules quickly in order to survive and then gradually to change the rules to accomplish his or her goals. As the story progresses, and each character's actions begin to affect the others, the three stories turn out to be parts of a greater whole that isn't what it appeared to be in the first place. With evocative descriptions, deft characterization, a complex grasp of politics and a simple but highly original magic system, Sanderson has created a novel that works not only as excellent fantasy, but as excellent literature. The Association for Mormon Letters is pleased to honor Elantris with the award in the Novel.