East West Street, a non-fiction work by human rights lawyer Philippe Sands, delves deep into the personal lives of Nuremburg prosecutors and explores the legal implications of genocide.
Israeli author Ayelet Gundar-Goshen received the nod for her novel Walking Lions, translated from Hebrew by Sondra Silverston. The book, which tells the story of African refugees in southern Israel, is the only one on the shortlist not to feature a Holocaust-related theme.
“We feel all five books are tremendously strong, any of which would make a worthy winner” said the chair of Judges, Professor Bryan Cheyette.
“While the majority are inspired by historical events, they are all focused on live issues which have a huge relevance to the world today and connect to the present-day reader – mass refugees, the horror of war and the denial of the humanity of others in the face of global indifference.”
The other judges on the panel are award-winning playwright Amy Rosenthal, novelist Joanna Kavenna and Jewish Quarterly literary editor Natasha Lehrer.
Of the 14 authors who appeared on the original long list, announced last November, nine failed to make the cut, including novelists Howard Jacobson and Rose Tremain.
The winner will be announced on February 23 at a JW3 event celebrating the award’s 40th anniversary this year.
