[E-Daily Reporter Lee Yoon-jung] Lee Young-do's feature "Birds Drinking Tears" (Golden Branch) has been shortlisted for the foreign novel category of "Grand Free de Limazinir," France's representative genre literature award.
According to the publisher Golden Branch on the 31st, "Birds Drinking Tears" was selected as a finalist after being included in the first round of candidates announced on the 27th. Among the 13 first-round nominees, a total of six works, including Lee Young-do, Guy Gabriel K, and Jedia Berry, were named as finalists.
The Grand Prix de Limazinere, established in 1974, is considered France's most prestigious science fiction and fantasy literary award selected by a jury consisting of journalists, writers and critics. "It's good news," Lee Young-do said on the news of the final nomination, "I'm relieved that I didn't put much pressure on the French officials who chose my writing." Local publishers also said, "Just being a finalist is a meaningful achievement that has been recognized by French and European readers for its work."
Published in 2003, "Birds Drinking Tears" is a full-length fantasy composed of four volumes, featuring a world view using Korean materials such as goblin, ssireum, and yutnori. Cumulative sales have surpassed 1 million copies and have been produced as an audio book for drama. The first book released in France sold 20,000 copies within four months of its release.
The translation was done by French-speaking translator Marion Zilbert. The work has been translated and published in more than 30 European countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the Czech Republic, and the edition authorized by Anton will be published in the U.S. and the U.K. in June.
The results of the awards will be announced on May 18 at the French literary event La Comedy du Libre.
Lee Yun-jeong (younsim2@edaily.co.kr )
Lee Young-do's masterpiece "Birds Drinking Tears" has been included in the final nomination for the French Literature Prize.
I really enjoyed watching it, so I hope I win the award.