The AKO Literature Prize is the best known prize for literature in the Netherlands. It is awarded to authors writing in Dutch and highly coveted for its recognition as well as the prize money of 50.000 euros.
Winnie Sorgdrager, the chairwoman of the Foundation Yearly Literature Prize for Fiction and Non-fiction, said the evaluation of 427 books was "a hell of a job".
Flemish authors are well represented on the longlist. Tom Lanoye ('Ademloos', Breathless), Koen Peeters ('De bloemen', The flowers), Peter Terrin ('De bewaker', The guardian), Walter van den Broeck ('Terug naar Walden', Back to Walden), David van Reybrouck ('Congo'), Saskia de Coster ('Dit is van mij', This is mine ) and Ivo Victoria ('Hoe ik nimmer de Ronde van Frankrijk voor min-twaalfjarigen won', How I never won the Tour de France for juniors) have all been nominated.
On October 1 the jury, which is presided by politician Femke Halsema, will present an even shorter list, the "top" list. The Prize itself will be handed out on November 8.
Last year, the Flemish author Erwin Mortier won the award for his novel 'Godenslaap' (Divine sleep).
