German Book Prize reveals its shortlist
September 12, 2017
The six finalists for the German Book Prize 2017 were announced on Tuesday. The jury selected a shortlist of six works from a longlist of 20 books, previously released in August.
Read more: German Book Prize announces longlist for best novel
"Bold thinking: That's what the texts on the shortlist have in common," said jury spokesperson Katja Gasser. Many of the novels also deal with the fact that the concept of Europe is currently at risk.
The shortlisted titles are:
- Gerhard Falkner: "Romeo oder Julia"
- Franzobel: "Das Floß der Medusa"
- Thomas Lehr: "Schlafende Sonne"
- Robert Menasse: "Die Hauptstadt"
- Marion Poschmann: "Die Kieferninseln"
- Sasha Marianna Salzmann: "Außer sich"
These novels are works which have been published in Germany, Austria or Switzerland between October 2016 and the day of the shortlist announcement, September 12, 2017. They are generally not yet available in English translation - though a nomination like this could ensure a deal with foreign publishers.
Read more: German Book Prize: loved and scorned
The final prize ceremony will be held on October 9, 2017, during the Frankfurt Book Fair. The winning author will receive 25,000 euros (nearly $30,000), while each of the five finalists is awarded 2,500 euros.
The German Publishers and Booksellers Association's annual award was created in 2005 as a German-language equivalent of the Man Booker Prize or the Prix Goncourt.
Last year, the award went to Bodo Kirchhoff, for "Widerfahrnis," a title which roughly translates as "encounter."
Read more: A short story with a dense narrative: German Book Prize winner Bodo Kirchhoff's 'Widerfahrnis'
eg/kbm (dpa, epd)