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 13th) were all published in 2010, 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 several countries and ranging from bestsellers to relative unknowns.
- Rocks in the Belly by Jon Bauer
- The Matter With Morris by David Bergen
- A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan – (excerpt, Egan’s Year in Reading, The Millions profile of Egan, A Millions Hall of Famer)
- The Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna (excerpt)
- Even the Dogs by Jon McGregor
- Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes (our review, excerpt)
- Landed by Tim Pears
- Limassol by Yishai Sarid
- The Eternal Son by Cristovão Tezza
- Lean on Pete by Willy Vlautin (excerpt)
