South African author on the list of finalists for this year’s Man Booker Prize

That’s right.

According to manbookerprize.com, Marlene van Niekerk, well-known for her best-selling novels Triomf, and Agaat, has been selected as one of ten authors who stand a chance to win the £60 000 (R 1 059 231.63) award for their contribution to the literature industry.

The announcement was made at a press conference held at the University of Cape Town.

Van Niekerk’s work has been highly lauded on both a national and international level, with some of her books being translated and published in different countries.

She also boasts an impressive resume and has won an impressive collection of local awards.

For the first time ever, the nominees are from a much more diverse group than what we’re used to seeing with authors Alain Mabanckou (who hails from Congo) and Mia Couto (Mozambique) also representing the African continent.

For the full list of nominees, visit manbookerprize.com.

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