The jury had to read twelve novels this year, going from chicklit over thrillers to historical novels. Finally, two novels clearly emerged: the one by Vandecasteele and 'How I never won the Tour de France for juniors (and that I regret it)' (Hoe ik nimmer de Ronde van Frankrijk won voor min-twaalfjarigen (en dat het me spijt)) by Ivo Victoria. Finally, the novel by Vandecasteele proved the better of the two.
Hoe de wereld perfect functioneert zonder mij confronts the reader with a hard and fragmented society, in which no hope can be found. Violence and sexual disruptions are no exceptions, consumption is a way to fight the boredom. The jury praises the powerful style of not only Vandecasteele, but of an entire generation of young writers.
The jury, which was presided by Dirk Leyman (De Morgen), consisted of Kristoff Tilkin, Peter Van Den Eede, Ilke Froyen and Katrien Jacobs.
Joost Vandecasteele will receive his award during the opening ceremony of the Antwerp Book Fair.
