The Dublin International Literary Award 2025 longlist was announced in Ireland on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
The Dublin International Literary Award is presented annually for a novel written in English or translated into English to promote excellence in world literature. The prize worth €100,000 is sponsored by the Dublin City Council, Ireland. If the winning book is a translation the prize is divided between the writer and the translator, with the writer receiving €75,000 and the translator €25,000. Percival Everett, David Diop, Akwaeke Emezi, Scholastique Mukasonga, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Mahi Binebine, Aminatta Forna, Noviolet Bulawayo, Mia Couto, Chinelo Okparanta, Yewande Omotoso, and Jonathan Escoffery have been in the running. Angolan author José Eduardo Agualusa won the award in 2017.
Non-voting Chairperson Professor Chris Morash, the Seamus Heaney Professor of Irish Writing at Trinity College Dublin, heads the 2025 jury. He is joined by Dutch author and winner of the Dublin Literary Award in 2010 Gerbrand Bakker; award-winning author and newspaper columnist Martina Devlin; writer, poet, translator, musician, and editor Fiona Sze-Lorrain; professor of American literature at Fordham University, freelance literary journalist, columnist, editor and author Prof. Leonard Cassuto; and poet, pacifist and editor Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe. They read the 71 books nominated by 83 libraries from 34 countries around the world and revealed the 2025 longlist on Tuesday.
Dublin City Librarian, Mairead Owens said, “A special commitment is required to judge the Dublin Literary Award with its eclectic range of books nominated from libraries across the world. I commend the dedication and expertise of this year’s judging panel with a special thanks to the chair, Professor Chris Morash,”.
The following writers of African descent made the cut;
- Beyond The Door of No Return, David Diop
- Hangman, Maya Binyam
- James, Percival Everett
- Out of Earth, Sheyla Smanioto
- The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, James McBride
- The Incredible Dreams Of Garba Dakaskus, Umar Abubakar Sidi
- The Lost Love of Akbar Manzil, Shubnum Khan
- The Most Secret Memory of Men, Mohamed Mbougar Sarr
- The Road to the Country, Chigozie Obioma
The shortlist will be revealed on March 25 and the Lord Mayor of Dublin Emma Blain will announce the winner on May 22, as part of the International Literature Festival Dublin.
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