Two Israeli authors vying to scoop Man Booker Prize

Two Israelis are vying for the prestigious Man Booker International Prize 2017 which will be awarded in London on Wednesday.

The novels, by authors from Europe, South America and the Middle East were shortlisted for the award, which celebrates the finest work of translated fiction.

One debut novelist is among the six shortlisted writers, alongside two Israeli authors including previous finalist Amos Oz, for his coming-of-age tale Judas, set in the still-divided Jerusalem of 1959-1960.

Argentine writer Samanta Schweblin’s first novel, Fever Dream, tells the story of a dying woman recounting a series of events of her recent past to a young boy.

The second Israeli nominated is David Grossman for A Horse Walks Into A Bar, which follows a veteran stand-up comedian’s tribulations, while Norwegian writer Roy Jacobsen is shortlisted for The Unseen, set on a Norwegian island.

Danish author Dorthe Nors is nominated for Mirror, Shoulder, Signal, in which a woman in her 40s struggles to learn to drive while battling an acute case of vertigo.

French writer Mathias Enard’s Compass, which explores the relationships between Europe and the Middle East, completes the shortlist.

The winning author and their translator will split a £50,000 prize, while each shortlisted runner-up and translator will receive £1,000.

The winner will be revealed at a ceremony at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London on Wednesday evening.

Here is the shortlist.

Compass – Mathias Enard (France) translated by Charlotte Mandell.

A Horse Walks Into A Bar – David Grossman (Israel) translated by Jessica Cohen.

The Unseen – Roy Jacobsen (Norway) translated by Don Bartlett.

Mirror, Shoulder, Signal – Dorthe Nors (Denmark) translated by Misha Hoekstra.

Judas – Amos Oz (Israel) translated by Nicholas de Lange.

Fever Dream – Samanta Schweblin (Argentina) translated by Megan McDowell.