Cartoonist Tom Gauld has turned his satirical eye to the world of football and literature, imagining what a FIFA prize for books might look like. In a new cartoon published in the Guardian, Gauld depicts a ceremony where authors compete for a trophy, with judges scoring their works on criteria such as 'narrative flow' and 'character development'—similar to football's scoring system.
A Humorous Take on Literary Awards
The cartoon shows a stadium filled with writers, each holding their books like football players. A commentator announces the nominees, including 'The Old Man and the Sea' by Ernest Hemingway and 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy, with scores displayed on a screen. The joke highlights the absurdity of applying sports metrics to art.
Gauld's Signature Style
Known for his minimalist, deadpan cartoons, Gauld often critiques cultural institutions. This piece continues his tradition of blending high and low culture, poking fun at both the literary establishment and the commercialization of sports. The cartoon has sparked discussions online about the value of literary prizes and the influence of corporate sponsors.
Readers have praised Gauld's wit, with many noting the irony of FIFA, an organization often mired in controversy, sponsoring a literature prize. The cartoon is part of a series of Gauld's work appearing in the Guardian's Saturday magazine.
