http://www.impacdublinaward.ie/News.htm

Man Gone Down by Michael Thomas scoops the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, the world’s richest literary prize, announced today by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Éibhlin Byrne, Patron of the Award.

Michael Thomas was born and raised in Boston. He lives in New York with his wife and three children. His debut novel has beaten off competition from 145 titles, nominated by 157 public libraries from 41 countries.

The winning novel, first published by Grove Atlantic, USA, and a New York Times top ten book of 2007, was chosen from a shortlist of eight, which included novels from the USA, France, India, Pakistan and Norway.  Man Gone Down was published by Atlantic Books, UK in 2009.

Also shortlisted were The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz; The Burnt-Out Town of Miracles by Roy Jacobsen, in translation; Ravel by Jean Echenoz, in translation; Animal’s People by Indra Sinha; The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid; The Archivist’s Story by Travis Holland and The Indian Clerk by David Leavitt.