Hi IMPAC

The International IMPAC Dublin Literary Awardprize--sponsored by the Dublin City Public Libraries and the Improved Management Productivity And Control company--may not be the most glittering literary prize, but it has something special nonetheless. The prize brings with it a purse of over $135,000.

The 2010 shortlist has been announced. The contenders are

• The Twin by Gerbrand Bakker
• The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
• In Zodiac Light by Robert Edric (not currently available in the US)
• Settlement by Christoph Hein
• The Believers by Zoë Heller
• Netherland by Joseph O'Neill
• God's Own Country by Ross Raisin (not currently available in the US), and
• Home by Marilynne Robinson

The prize has often gone to debut authors, so there's no clear frontrunner among the nominees. The winner will be announced June 17. Details are here.--David E