IMPAC award: Local author's success can inspire young writers

Lauding Tan Twan Eng's success to have his novel The Garden of Evening Mists shortlisted for the International IMPAC Dublin literary award (IMPAC), local writers said it could inspire a new generation of writers and readers in Malaysia.

"Malaysians should be very proud of our writers who do well on the international stage. To even be in the final lineup for awards such as the Man Booker and the IMPAC means that you are among the world's top contemporary authors.

"This should inspire the younger generation of writers and readers," said creative writing teacher and literary event organiser Sharon Bakar.

She said the news was also a welcoming change as there were many negative views about Malaysia recently.

"Much of the news on Malaysia these days are sad and negative - the positive achievements of Malaysians don't make the news enough despite there being so much talent," she added.

Maclean Patrick, author of Jasmines on the 4th floor and The Bicycle, said Malaysians could create an impact in the literary scene but there was little acknowledgment back home.

"There is a richness to Malaysia that can be written and conveyed to the world, and the shortlisting of Tan Twan Eng's work shows that Malaysians can create an impact on the literacy scene.

"It is always inspiring to aspiring Malaysian writers to see their peers receive accolades but while people like Twan Eng and Tash Aw, before him, are acknowledged overseas, little can be said for local acknowledgement," he said.

He said if local writers were more supported back home, it would definitely increase the number of writers and the opportunity for them to be shortlisted for writing awards.

"With Twan Eng blazing the path, we hope that many more can walk the same path and gain the long-overdue recognition."

The Guardian reported that the €100,000 (RM447,744) International IMPAC Dublin literary award has been whittled down to 10 contenders.

Twan Eng will be competing against debut novelists Patrick Flanery and Donal Ryan as well as acclaimed writers including Karl Ove Knausgaard and Juan Gabriel Vásquez.

IMPAC contenders are nominated by librarians worldwide. This year, 110 library systems in 39 countries participated and the winner will be announced in Dublin on June 12.