Indian author Jeet Thayil's debut novel 'Narcopolis' in Man Asian 2012 shortlist

New Delhi: Indian author Jeet Thayil's debut novel Narcopolis featured among five novels showcasing the diversity and depth of writing from Istanbul to Tokyo as the shortlist for the 2012 Man Asian Literary Prize was revealed, listing distinctive and celebrated writers for the first time in a region-wide context.

The shortlist, which includes writers from five different countries, champions a debut novelist alongside a Nobel laureate, translated work as well as original writing in English, and includes smaller regional publishers as well as larger international houses, a post on the website said.

The five shortlisted novels:

Indian author Jeet Thayil\'s debut novel Narcopolis featured among five novels shortlisted for Man Asian 2012.

Between Clay and Dust - Musharraf Ali Farooqi (Pakistan)

The Briefcase - Hiromi Kawakami (Japan)

Silent House - Orhan Pamuk (Turkey)

The Garden of Evening Mists - Tan Twan Eng (Malaysia)

Narcopolis - Jeet Thayil (India)

Award winning literary critic and journalist Maya Jaggi is chair of the 2012 judging panel. The winner, who will receive USD 30,000, will be announced on March 14 2013 at a black tie Prize Dinner in Hong Kong, the home of the Prize. The translator, if any, will receive USD 5,000.

Last year's winner, Please Look After Mom by South Korean writer Kyung-sook Shin has gone on to sell over 2m copies worldwide.

Also See

• 'Narcopolis' is an intense, disturbing read
• Between Clay and Dust: A tale of rectitude and penance
• Longlist for Man Asian Literary Prize for 2012 announced

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