TURKISH WRITER LONG-LISTED FOR BRITISH LITERARY AWARD

ISTANBUL, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS:A Turkish writer, Elif Safak, author of the best-selling novel ‘The Bastard of Istanbul’, is among 20 writers long-listed for a prestigious British award, Turkish newspapers reported. Safak was prosecuted over comments made by characters in "The Bastard of Istanbul" about the 1915 genocide of Armenians by the Ottomans and was acquitted in 2006 by an Istanbul court. The book tells the interwoven stories of a Turkish and an Armenian family in the United States and Istanbul. Safak was named one of 20 writers long-listed for the Orange Prize, which is open to any female author writing in English. The Orange Prize long list includes seven debut novelists along with veterans. The winner of the 30,000 pound prize will be announced at a ceremony on June 4.