Chinese author wins Man Asia prize

HONG KONG – Chinese author Jiang Rong beat four other shortlisted Asian writers to become the first winner of the Man Asian Literary Prize for his best-selling novel “The Wolf Totem.”

One of the shortlisted writers was Jose Dalisay of the Philippines. The STAR columnist’s novel was entitled “Soledad’s Sister.” 

The $100,000 (euro68,148) literary award is newly established to recognize the region’s best literature that has not yet been published in English.

Jiang’s “Wolf Totem,” first published in Chinese, is about the struggle of life during the 1966-76 Cultural Revolution and draws on Jiang’s personal experience in the Mongolian grasslands.

The English edition of the book is scheduled for publication in March next year.

The Beijing-based writer was not able to receive the award in person at a ceremony held in Hong Kong Saturday night because of ill health. But in a statement, Jiang said he was thrilled and honored that his Chinese story caught the attention of the judges. – AP