Alex Alphonso Wheatle MBE (born 3 January 1963)[1] is a British novelist, who was sentenced to a term of imprisonment after the 1981 Brixton riot in London.
While serving his resulting sentence,[clarification needed] he read authors such as Chester Himes, Richard Wright, C. L. R. James and John Steinbeck.
[7] He received the London Arts Board New Writers Award in 1999 for his debut novel Brixton Rock,[8] which was later adapted for the stage and performed at the Young Vic in July 2010.
S. F. Said, one of the judging panel, said of the book: "Wheatle's writing is poetic, rhythmic and unique, remaking the English language with tremendous verve.
[15][16][17] In March 2024 the Arbeitskreis für Jugendliteratur, the German national section of IBBY, nominated Cane Warriors in the category Jugendbuch for the 2024 Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis.