Rachida Lamrabet and Rodaan Al Galidi shortlisted for the BNG Nieuwe Literatuurprijs

(Cover of the Dutch version of Rodaan Al Galidi's second novel Thirsty river, nominated for the BNG Nieuwe Literatuurprijs.)

Rachida Lamrabet and Rodaan Al Galidi have been shortlisted for the BNG Nieuwe Literatuurprijs. This Dutch literature prize is awarded to authors under 40 who have written two or more works of prose.

Rachida Lamrabet is nominated for her second book, a collection of stories called A child of God. After publication Belgian magazine Knack immediately called this book 'a masterpiece'. Lamrabet's debut novel Vrouwland has already won this year's Flemish Debut prize and is in the running for the Dutch Academica debut prize. German rights for Vrouwland have been sold to Luchterhand Verlag.

Rodaan Al Galidi is nominated for his second novel, an amazing family epic called Thirsty river. The novel takes us to the heart of Iraq. The dreams, desires, traditions and experiences of a colourful Iraqi family are shaken up when Saddam comes to power. In Thirsty River Al Galidi follows the fate of this family untill after the death of the dictator. Thirsty River is literature at its best: giving voice to the unknown victims of history.

Coming from Iraq, writer, poet and columnist Rodaan Al Galidi has lived in the Netherlands since 1998. His much-praised poetry collection The fall of Zorro was shortlisted for the prestigious VSB poetry award. His new collection of poetry, The last slave, has been published this week.

The winner of the BNG Nieuwe Literatuurprijs is to be announced on January 15 in Amsterdam.