Prizes

The Eclectic IMPAC Shortlist Has Arrived

By posted at 2:45 pm on April 12, 2011 4

The IMPAC Award shortlist was announced today. The IMPAC sets itself apart with its unique approach. Its massive longlist is compiled by libraries all over the world before being whittled down by judges. This makes for a more egalitarian selection. It’s also got a long lead time. Books up for the current prize (to be named June 15th) were all published in 2009, putting the IMPAC more than a year behind other big literary awards. There’s a distinct upside in this. By now, nearly all the shortlisted books are available in paperback in the U.S. The IMPAC also tends to be interesting for the breadth of books it considers.

This year’s shortlist is typically eclectic, representing four countries and ranging from bestsellers, to relative unknowns.

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4 Responses to “The Eclectic IMPAC Shortlist Has Arrived”

  1. Kerry Riley
    at 10:47 pm on April 12, 2011

    Well deserved recognition for Michael Crummey’s Galore!

  2. Alexander T!
    at 8:09 am on April 13, 2011

    Hey!! Barbara Kingsolver went to school here at Depauw! It is good to see her on the list.

    I will try to check out “Galore” based on the above recommendation.

    Plus, not to be unfun, but hasn’t “Let the Great World Spin” received enough love/attention!?!

  3. Courtney Thomas Vance
    at 12:47 pm on April 13, 2011

    Part of me questions how egalitarian the selection method really is. Most of these books already seem to have gotten a lot of attention and critical recognition. If they’re the best books, that’s certainly fine, but I wish selection committees made more of an effort to discover books that aren’t already famous. It just makes me question their methodology.

  4. Marisa Alps
    at 1:24 pm on April 13, 2011

    Michael Crummey’s Galore was my favourite novel of 2009. I am so glad to see it get the recognition it deserves.

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