The jury praised Mortier's overwhelming and powerful language and chose ‘Godenslaap' over the other contenders because it offers ‘a unique illustration of a time which so far has been underexposed in Dutch-language literature'. Mortier wrote ‘ a Homeric epic in which the First World War assumes a mythical, universal air'.
Mortier was the only Flemish writer on the shortlist of the renowned award. The other five finalists were Dutch: Joke van Leeuwen, Joris van Casteren, Carolina Trujillo, Christiaan Weijts and Tommy Wieringa. In fact, Mortier is the first Flemish winner of the award since Brigitte Raskin in 1989.
The AKO Literature Prize rewards the best Dutch-language literary book in either fiction or non-fiction. AKO awards this yearly prize to stimulate literature and the appeal of books to the general public. The winner receives 50.000 euro and a sculpture by Eugène Peters.
