Longwood University revealed the shortlist for its John Dos Passos Prize, awarded annually to “one of America’s most talented but underappreciated writers.”
Novelist, short story writer, and poet Luis Alberto Urrea was named a finalist for the award; he is known for books including The Hummingbird’s Daughter, The House of Broken Angels, and, most recently, Good Night, Irene.
Angie Cruz, author of Let It Rain Coffee, How Not To Drown in a Glass of Water, and Dominicana, made the shortlist, alongside Victor LaValle, whose books include The Devil in Silver, The Changeling, and Lone Women.
Peter Rock, author of This Is the Place, My Abandonment, and Passersthrough was named a finalist, as was Carter Sickels, known for his books The Evening Hourand The Prettiest Star.
Longwood literature professor David Magill, chair of the prize jury, said, “Experimental narrative styles, challenging characters, and lyrical prose mark all our writers, but each brings their own unique sense of language and vision to examine the United States in wonderful detail.”
The John Dos Passos Prize, named for the author of the U.S.A. Trilogy, was established in 1980. Previous winners include Russell Banks, Maxine Hong Kingston, Percival Everett, Karen Tei Yamashita, and Patricia Engel.
The winner of this year’s award will be announced next month.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
