Press Association June 15, 2005, Wednesday
Copyright 2005 The Press Association Limited Press Association

 June15, 2005, Wednesday 08:01 AM Eastern Time

SECTION: HOME NEWS
LENGTH: 427 words
HEADLINE: SLAVERY NOVEL WINS BIGGEST LITERARY PRIZE
BYLINE: Emily Beament, PA
BODY:
An American novel about slavery today won the world's largest literary prize for a single work of fiction published in English.

United States author Edward P Jones scooped the award of 100,000 euros (#70,000) in the 10th International Impac Dublin Literary Award for his first novel, The Known World.

The historical work, which explores the life of Henry Townsend, a former black slave who becomes a slave owner himself, won the Pulitzer Prize in 2004.

The book was described by the judges of the Dublin Literary Award as "a richly imagined novel in which a multitude of moral contradictions are revealed and explored".

Mr. Jones, who received a standing ovation as he collected his award, said receiving the prize was "great, it's wonderful, I never expected it".

He said he had only got off a plane from the US a few hours earlier to attend the award ceremony at Dublin's City Hall.

"My belongings have been in a suitcase for a whole day, I got to the hotel room and took everything out and my suit was rumpled, my shirt was rumpled, but my heart is soaring."

The writer said his inspiration came in college from learning about black slave owners.

Mr. Jones, who is currently working on a book of short stories about Washington DC, said he appreciated winning an award which was nominated by libraries rather than book critics.

"I'm not one of those writers who writes for fortune and fame.

"I write because I can't do anything else - I'm compelled to," he said.

Asked how he would spend his prize money, he joked: "I'm going to buy some new socks."

The international panel of judges, which included Irish poet and playwright Rita Ann Higgins and British novelist Jonathan Buckley, chose The Known World from a short list of 10 finalists from Canada, Germany, Holland, Norway, South Africa and the US, including three novels translated into English.

The 10 finalists were picked from a long list of 147 books nominated by 185 libraries in 51 countries around the world.

Three Irish writers, Martin Malone for The Broken Cedar, Gerard Donovan with Schopenhauer's Telescope and Colum McCann for Dancer, were among the 147 novelists chosen but failed to make it through to the final 10.

Mr. Jones was presented with the cheque for 100,000 euros by Impac chairman Dr James B Irwin and a specially commissioned Waterford Crystal trophy from the Lord Mayor of Dublin Michael Conaghan.

Introducing the 10th annual event, Deirdre Ellis King, Dublin City Librarian, said it had become "one of the most prestigious literary awards in the world".

LOAD-DATE: June 15, 2005
Deutsche Presse-Agentur June 15, 2005, Wednesday

 

Copyright 2005 Deutsche Presse-Agentur 
Deutsche Presse-Agentur

 June 15, 2005, Wednesday 
12:04:22 Central European Time

SECTION: Culture, Entertainment
LENGTH: 141 words
HEADLINE: U.S. author wins International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award
DATELINE: Dublin
BODY:
U.S. author Edward P. Jones, winner of last year's Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, won Wednesday the 2005 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, for his first Novel "The Known World".

Jones was awarded the prize of 100,000 euros (132,000 dollars) at a ceremony in Dublin City Hall.

"The Known World" focuses on the lives of freed and enslaved blacks, whites and Indians.

Nominations were made by 185 library systems representing 129 cities from 51 countries.

The award, one of Europe's most prestigious, is a partnership between Dublin City Council, the Municipal Government of Dublin City and IMPAC, a productivity improvement company operating in more than 50 countries.

Last year's winner was "This Blinding Absence of Light" by Moroccan TaharBen Jelloun translated from the French by Linda Coverdale.