Frank Wynne

Translator, Writer, Mammal, Fool

2022

Alice Zeniter and Frank Wynne holding the DLA Trophy

Dublin Literary Award

Frank’s translation of The Art of Losing by Alice Zeniter has won the 2022 Dublin Literary Award,

Alice Zeniter and Irish translator Frank Wynne were presented with the award as part of the Dublin Literary Festival on May 19, 2022. The DUBLIN Literary Award, sponsored by Dublin City Council, is the world’s largest prize for a single novel published in English.

Uniquely, the Award receives its nominations from public libraries in cities around the globe and recognises both writers and translators. Frank was a previous winner in 2002, as translator of Atomised by Michel Houellebecq. The Art of Losing is the 10th novel in translation to win the Dublin Literary Prize. Lord Mayor and Patron of the Award, Alison Gilliland remarked:

With its themes of colonisation and immigration, The Art of Losing, which follows three generations of an Algerian family from the 1950s to the present day, highlights how literature can increase our understanding of the world. I’d like to congratulate Alice Zeniter and Frank Wynne and thank all who are involved in the award – writers, translators, librarians, publishers and the administrative staff of Dublin City Council.”

Geetanjali Shree with the 2022 International Booker
Geetanjali Shree holding her 2022 International Booker Trophy

2022 International Booker Prize

Frank was chair of the judges for the 2022 International Booker Prize – the first time that a translator has been asked to chair the jury. He presented the award on May 26 2022, to Geetanjali Shree and her translator Daisy Rockwell for the novel “Tomb of Sand”, the first Hindi novel to win the prize. He was joined by fellow judges Merve Emre, Petina Gappah, Viv Groskop and Jeremy Tiang.

In total the jury considered 137 titles before announcing a longlist in March, and a shortlist in April 2022. The other titles on the shortlist were Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung translated by Anton Hur, Elena Knows by Caludia Piñero translated by Fraces Riddle, A New Name by Jon Fosse translated by Damion Searls, The Books of Jacob by Olga Tocarczuk translated by Jennifer Crost and Heaven by Mieko Kawakami translated by Sam Bett and David Boyd


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About Me

I'm an Irish literary translator from French and Spanish, occasional writer, editor and reluctant digital factotum.
Over the years, I've had the challenge and the privilege of translating (among others) Michel Houellebecq, Virginie Despentes, Patrick Modiano, Pierre Lemaitre, Javier Cercas, Andres Caicedo…
I travel widely, and work from wherever seems inviting

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