Israeli authors David Grossman and Amos Oz are among the contenders for this year’s Man Booker International Prize. There are 13 novels up for the 2017 prize, which celebrates the finest works of translated fiction from around the world.

The literary prize is awarded every year for a single book that has been translated in English.

The judges said they considered 126 books.

The full 2017 longlist includes two Israeli novels, two French novels, and one each from Poland, Belgium, Norway, Albania, Iceland, China, Germany, Denmark and Argentina.

‘It’s been an exceptionally strong year for translated fiction. Our longlist consists of books that are compulsively readable and ferociously intelligent. From powerful depictions and shocking exposés of historical and contemporary horrors to intimate and compelling portraits of people going about their daily lives, our longlisted books are above all breathtakingly well-written,” said Nick Barley, chair of the 2017 Man Booker International Prize judging panel.

“Fiction in translation is flourishing: in these times when walls are being built, this explosion of brilliant ideas from around the world arriving into the English language feels more important than ever,” said Barley.

A shortlist of six books will be announced on April 20, and the winner of the 2017 prize will be announced on June 14, at a formal dinner at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

(via Israel21c)

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