Man Asian Literary Prize expands shortlist to 7
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
The Man Asian Literary Prize, which has historically limited its shortlist to five books, announced Tuesday that it has expanded this year’s shortlist to seven. The reason? The books are just too good, says the chair of the judging panel, Razia Iqbal.
The seven shortlisted books are:
‘The Wandering Falcon’ by Jamil Ahmad (of Pakistan) ‘Rebirth’ by Jahnavi Barua (of India) ‘The Sly Company of People Who Care’ by Rahul Bhattacharya (of India) ‘River of Smoke’ by Amitav Ghosh (of India) ‘Please Look After Mom’ by Kyung-Sook Shin (of South Korea) ‘Dream of Ding Village’ by Yan Lianke (of China) ‘The Lake’ by Banana Yoshimoto (of Japan)
The Man Asian Literary Prize is given annually to the best novel by a writer from one of 26 countries in South Asia and East Asia. To be eligible, a book must either have been written in English or translated into English. The winning author is awarded $30,000 and the translator (if any) $5,000.
Novelists Chang-rae Lee (‘The Surrendered’) and Vikas Swaru (‘Q&A,’ the novel upon which ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ was based) also served as judges this year.
Previous winners of the Man Asian Literary Prize include Chinese writers Bi Feiyu (‘Three Sisters’) and Su Tong (‘The Boat to Redemption’) and Miguel Syjuco (‘Illustrado’), of the Philippines. The 2011 winner will be announced at a black-tie dinner in Hong Kong on March 15.
RELATED:
Man Asian Literary Prize goes to Chinese author Bi Feiyu
Man Asian Literary Prize announces shortlist, includes Oe
Man Asian longlist is announced, led by a Nobel laureate
-- Carolyn Kellogg
