What does the Helsinki Prize represent to Joan in the novel, The Wife?

The Helsinki Prize symbolizes Joan’s personal turning point in her unhealthy marriage to Joe. Joe’s literary success is entirely due to the fact that Joan, instead of pursuing her own literary ambitions, spent her time essentially writing Joe’s books for him. Joe’s ego grew along with his literary success. After he is named the recipient of the Helsinki Prize, Joan can no longer stand this unhealthy relationship, so she decides to leave Joe.