Land of promise tells the story of the Jewish family of the author, that has been scattered around the world ever since WWII.
Pearce traced back his lost family members in Bolivia, Israël and Australia. Often is is the very first time for them to come out with their war stories.
The president of the jury, writer Gérard de Cortanze, thought the book was one of the better of many on the shortlist: Un livre dur et intense, he wrote, 'A hard and moving novel'.
Pearce works as a journalist and as a writer. He has published several books before, 'Koloniale waren' (2001, Colonial stuff), 'Maanzaad' (2003, ), 'Met gebalde vuisten' (2004, With tight-clenched fists), 'Het belang van Edward Lindeman' (2006, The importance of Edward Lindeman) and 'Vaderland' (2008, Native country).
'Land van belofte' has been published by Houtekiet, the French edition by Actes Sud.
Previous winners of the Prix Jean Monnet have been Antonio Tabucchi, Pierre Mertens, Harry Mulisch, William Boyd and Claudio Magris.
The winner will be announced on a literary festival in the French city of Cognac in November.
