Lebanese writer wins Impac award for debut novel

London, June 14 : A Lebanese writer has been awarded the International Impac Dublin Literary Award for his first novel 'De Niro's Game'

Author Rawi Hage emerged victorious over seven other authors and has received a prize of 100,000 euros.

The International Impac Dublin Literary Award is the world's most lucrative prize in the field of literature.

"I am a fortunate man," BBC quoted Hage, as saying.

His book De Niro's Game revolves around two childhood friends growing up in war-torn Beirut who must choose between self-imposed exile or a life of crime at home.

Hage, who lived through nine years of civil war in Beirut before emigrating to Canada said, "After a long journey of war, displacement and separation, I feel that I am one of the few wanderers who is privileged enough to have been rewarded, and for that I am very grateful."

Hage was chosen from 137 novelists nominated by 162 public libraries in 45 countries across the globe.

ANI