Books News
Colm Toibin becomes first Irish author to win IMPAC literary award
By DPA
Jun 13, 2006, 15:34 GMT

Dublin - Colm Toibin became the first Irish author to win the international IMPAC Dublin Literary Award for his novel, The Master, the jury announced Tuesday in Dublin.

The award is worth 100,000 euros (132,000 dollars) and is the largest and most international prize of its kind.

His novel, The Master, focuses on American author, Henry James who lived from 1843-1916.

Toibin's portrait of the novelist had shown him to be not only an 'excellent storyteller' but showed that he had also created an important work with a 'great, modulated and clear language,' the jury said.

Toibin's other works include The South and The Blackwater Lightship.

The award involves libraries from all corners of the globe and is open to books written in any language. Nominations for the prize were made by 180 library systems from 124 cities in 43 countries.

The award is a partnership between Dublin City Council, the Municipal Government of Dublin City and IMPAC, a productivity improvement company operating in more than 50 countries.

Last year's winner was Edward P. Jones for 'The Known World.' Previous winners include Michel Houellebecq, Tahar Ben Jelloun and Orhan Pamuk.