The shortlist will be announced on October 8th, and the winner on November 20th.
The book has received wonderful praise:
“Masterly”
The New York Review of Books
“Brilliant” “Unforgettable”
Wall Street Journal
“Astonishing” “recalls Faulkner’s “As I Lay Dying”” “The power of the novel — of all Khalifa’s novels — is that it unfolds within a human context”
Los Angeles Times
“Intensely readable” “wryly compelling”
Financial times
“Robust in its doubts, humane in its gaze and gentle in its persistence”
The Guardian
“Stunning”
Herald
“Compelling book. It gives an insight into this sealed country, its inner tensions over decades.” “Khalifa’s novel is a night-black variation on Faulkner‘s ‘As I lay dying’.”
Neue Zürcher Zeitung
“Deep black, gruesome, moving comedy”
Literatur Spiegel
“Khaled Khalifa’s characters are anything but heroes, and that’s what makes them so tangible.” “The spirit of inner exile, the silent revolution against a human tragedy, is present in every line of Khalifa’s novel.”
The Süddeutsche Zeitung
Death is hard work is currently sold in the following territories:
Farrar, Straus and Giroux, USA, World English, 2019)
Faber, UK (Spring 2019)
Bompiani, Italy (to appear)
Rowohlt, Germany (2018)
De Geus, Netherlands (2018)
Sindbad, Actes Sud, France (2018)
Green Books, India, Malayalam (2018)
Sonia Draga Publishing, Poland (to appear)
Prozart, Macedonia (to appear)
Kastaniotis, Greece (to appear)
Houpaa books, Iran (to appear)
Angustura, Iceland (to appear)
For more information on the National Book Award, read the LA Times ‘s piece!
