The Man Booker Prize promotes the finest in fiction by rewarding the very best book of the year. The prize is the world’s most important literary award and has the power to transform the fortunes of authors and publishers.
On Tuesday July 23rd the longlist was announced and local writer Donal Ryan has been nominated for his book “The Spinning Heart”. There are 13 nominations in total in what is the “most diverse longlist” in Booker history, according to the judges. The selections were made by a panel of five judges from 151 titles.
Donal is one of three debutant novelists on the list with NoViolet Bulawayo (We Need New Names) and Eve Harris (The Marrying of Chani Kaufman). Two other Irish authors Colum McCann (TransAtlantic) and Colm Toibin (The Testament of Mary) have also been shortlisted with Donal. The shortlist of six will be announced on September 10th and the overall winner will receive a prize of £50,000 (€58,000) when named on October 15th.
Donal won the “Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year Award” at the Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards on November 22nd 2012. “The Spinning Heart” tells the story of how tensions surface in an Irish town in the aftermath of Ireland’s financial collapse. As violence flares, the characters face a battle between public persona and inner desires. Through a chorus of unique voices, each struggling to tell their own kind of truth, a single authentic tale unfolds.
Donal grew up in the nearby village of Newtown and attended Nenagh CBS before going on to study Law at University of Limerick. He now lives outside Limerick City with his wife and two children.
Congratulations to Donal on the success of his debut novel and we wish him all the best as we eagerly await the announcement of the Man Booker Prize shortlist on September 10th 2013.
Donal Ryan's “The Thing About December” Nominated for Major Book Award
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