Irish author Paul Lynch among those shortlisted for €100k Dublin Literary Award
Author Paul Lynch is among those shortlisted for the Dublin Literary Award Picture: David Creedon
Dublin City Council has announced the six books that have been shortlisted for the 2025 Dublin Literary Award.
The award, which celebrates 30 years of excellence in world literature, is the world's most valuable annual prize for a single work of fiction published in English, worth €100,000 to the winner.
If the book has been translated, the author receives €75,000 and the translator receives €25,000. Unique among literary prizes, nominations are submitted by librarians and readers from a network of libraries around the world.
The 2025 Award winner will be chosen from a diverse and international shortlist including two novels translated from Spanish and Dutch. The shortlist features American, Argentinian, Canadian, Dutch, and Irish authors.
by Argentinian author Selva Almada, translated by Annie McDermott; by Dutch author Gerda Blees, translated by Michele Hutchison; by Canadian author Michael Crummey; by American author Percival Everett; by Irish author Paul Lynch; and by American Daniel Mason.
Lynch's novel won the Booker Prize in 2023.
The 30th winner of the Dublin Literary Award will be announced by its patron, Lord Mayor of Dublin, Emma Blain on Thursday, May 22, as part of International Literature Festival Dublin (ILFD).
Speaking about the shortlisted titles, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Emma Blain, said: “As we celebrate 30 years of the Dublin Literary Award, it is heartening to see that the broad scope of the Award still persists with a shortlist that includes nominations from public libraries in Canada, Jamaica, Mexico, The Netherlands, and United States.
“The 2025 winner will be chosen from an inspiring shortlist that includes two novels in translation and explores themes of power, corruption, manipulation, bravery, ghosts from the past, and a re-imagining of a literary classic.”
Dublin City Librarian Mairead Owens thanked the nominating libraries from around the world for their considered choices illustrating the range of novels and innovative storytelling.
“I always look forward to viewing the Dublin Literary Award shortlist, and in our 30th year, it is encouraging to see that the Award continues to flourish.
"Our judging panel has had the unenviable task of choosing 6 titles from a stellar list of 71 books and yet again they don’t disappoint.
“I would encourage our library members to reserve copies of the shortlist from their local library and choose their particular favourite before the announcement of the winner on Thursday 22nd May.”
