Before the Earthquake shortlisted for the 2010 Desmond Elliott Prize
Friday, 21st May 2010
It was announced today that Before the Earthquake by Maria Allen has been shortlisted for the prestigious 2010 Desmond Elliott Prize.
Maria’s novel beat off competition from other debut authors on the ten-strong longlist to reach the shortlist of three. The two other novels shortlisted are The Girl with Glass Feet by Ali Shaw and Talk of the Town by Jacob Polley. Before the Earthquake has already emerged as the frontrunner, with bookmakers William Hill making Maria 5/4 favourite to win the £10,000 prize.
The Desmond Elliott Prize is an annual award for one outstanding debut novel, which has a compelling narrative, arresting character, and which is both outstandingly written and brilliantly realised.
The winner of the third Desmond Elliott Prize will be announced at an award ceremony at Fortnum & Mason, London, on the 23 June.
