10 novels have been shortlisted for the 2016 International DUBLIN Literary Award, proudly sponsored by Dublin City Council and managed by Dublin City Public Libraries.
The list includes four novels in translation from Brazil, France, Germany and Spain, Academy Street by Irish author Mary Costello, and novels from India, Jamaica and the USA.
The International DUBLIN Literary Award is worth €100,000 to the winner and is the world’s most valuable annual literary award for a single work of fiction published in English. The award was launched in April 1995.
2016 Shortlisted Titles:
- Outlaws by Javier Cercas (Spanish) Translated from the Spanish by Anne McLean
- Academy Street by Mary Costello (Irish) First Novel
- Your Fathers, Where Are They? And The Prophets, Do They Live Forever? by Dave Eggers (American)
- The End of Days by Jenny Erpenbeck (German) Translated from the German by Susan Bernofsky
- A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James (Jamaican)
- Diary of the Fall by Michel Laub (Brazilian) Translated from the Portuguese by Margaret Jull Costa
- Our Lady of the Nile by Scholastique Mukasonga (Rwandan) First Novel. Translated from French by Melanie Mauthner
- Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill (American)
- Lila by Marilynne Robinson (American)
- Family Life by Akhil Sharma (Indian-American)
The titles on this year’s shortlist were nominated by public libraries in Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the USA”, said Ardmhéara / Lord Mayor, Críona Ní Dhálaigh, Patron of the Award. “This is the beauty of this award, proudly sponsored and now fully owned by Dublin City Council; it reaches out to readers and authors worldwide, while also celebrating excellence in contemporary Irish literature represented on the 2016 shortlist by Mary Costello.”
“The 2016 winner will be chosen from this intriguing international shortlist which includes five women writers. The novels come from Brazil, Germany, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Rwanda/France, Spain and the USA”, said Margaret Hayes, Dublin City Librarian. “While many of the stories reflect contemporary themes, they bring us characters facing timeless challenges of love and loss, of innocence and isolation. These engaging stories are set against contrasting landscapes which include Brazil, India, and Rwanda.”
Two of the shortlisted authors have been shortlisted previously. Javier Cercas was shortlisted in 2008 for his novel The Speed of Light and Marilynne Robinson in 2010 for Home.
The five member international judging panel, chaired by Hon. Eugene R. Sullivan, will select one winner which will be announced by Ardmhéara / Lord Mayor, Críona Ní Dhálaigh, Patron of the Award, on the morning of Thursday 9th June.
The Lord Mayor reminded Dubliners that they can borrow the shortlisted novels from Dublin City Public Libraries. “Readers have plenty of time to pick their own favourite between now and 9th June, when I announce the winner. Tá mé cinnte go mbainfidh daoine sásamh as na leabhair seo a léamh, arsa an tArdmhéara.”
The International DUBLIN Literary Award is presented annually for a novel written in English or translated into English. The award aims to promote excellence in world literature. It is proudly sponsored by Dublin City Council and is managed by Dublin City Public Libraries.
The award is open to novels written in any language and by authors of any nationality. Nominations are submitted by library systems in major cities throughout the world. Founded in April 1995, the award is now in its 21st year.
Recent previous winners of the award include:
Harvest by Jim Crace (2015), The Sound of Things Falling by Juan Gabriel Vásquez (2014), City of Bohane by Kevin Barry (2013), Even the Dogs by Jon McGregor (2012), Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann (2011), The Twin by Gerbrand Bakker (2010), Man Gone Down by Michael Thomas (2009), De Niro’s Game by Rawi Hage (2008), and Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson (2007)
All the longlisted novels can be viewed on http://www.dublinliteraryaward.ie/nominees