Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novel Half of a Yellow Sun voted best book

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novel Half of a Yellow Sun has been voted the best book to have won the Women's Prize for Fiction in its 25-year history. The author, who won the prize in 2007, was chosen in a public vote from a list of all 25 winners. The one-off award marks the anniversary of the prize, formerly known as the Orange Prize and the Bailey's Prize.

Half of a Yellow Sun is set in Nigeria during the Biafran War, exploring the end of colonialism, ethnic allegiances, class, race and female empowerment. Published in 2006, it has received global acclaim.

Two Canadians have won the prize in its 25-year history. Toronto's Anne Michaels won in 1997 for her novel Fugitive Pieces) and Winnipeg's Carol Shields won in 1998 for her novel Larry's Party.

The Women's Prize for Fiction is a U.K. prize that recognizes the year's best novel written by a woman in English. Past winners include Bel Canto by Ann Patchett, Small Island by Andrea Levy, On Beauty by Zadie Smith.

Chimamanda will be presented with the Bessie, a specially-commissioned silver edition of the prize’s annual statuette. She will talk further about her writing and being chosen for the ‘Winner of Winners’ award in an exclusive live online event hosted by Kate Mosse and the Women’s Prize for Fiction on Sunday 6, December at 7pm GMT. Head over to the Women’s Prize for Fiction’s website to get your tickets.