The Eclectic IMPAC Shortlist Has Arrived

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.

• Galore by Michael Crummey (excerpt, At The Millions, Michael Crummey’s “Whale Music“)
• The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver (excerpt, In his Year in Reading, Sam Anderson suggests some edits.)
• The Vagrants by Yiyun Li(excerpt, At The Millions, Yiyun Li on Per Petterson)
• Ransom by David Malouf (excerpt)
• Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann (excerpt, A Millions Hall of Famer)
• Little Bird of Heaven by Joyce Carol Oates
• Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey (excerpt)
• Brooklyn by Colm Toibín (excerpt, Edan’s Year in Reading)
• Love and Summer by William Trevor (excerpt)
• After the Fire, a Still Small Voice by Evie Wyld (excerpt)