De Niro's Game
Encyclopedia
De Niro's Game is the debut novel
by Lebanese
-Canadian
writer Rawi Hage
, originally published in 2006.
The novel's primary characters are Bassam and George, lifelong friends living in wartorn Beirut
. The novel traces the different paths that the two follow as they face the difficult choice of whether to stay in Beirut and get involved in organized crime
, or to leave Lebanon and build a new life in another country. Ultimately, Bassam leaves Beirut behind, and George in the process, who kills himself.
and the 2006 Governor General's Award
for English fiction. Hage was also awarded two Quebec awards, the Hugh MacLennan Prize for Fiction
and the McAuslan First Book Prize
at the Quebec Writers' Federation literary awards.
The novel's French language
translation, Parfum de poussière, was translated by Sophie Voillot and won the 2009 edition of Le Combat des livres
.
Debut novel
A debut novel is the first novel an author publishes. Debut novels are the author's first opportunity to make an impact on the publishing industry, and thus the success or failure of a debut novel can affect the ability of the author to publish in the future...
by Lebanese
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
-Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
writer Rawi Hage
Rawi Hage
-Early life and education:Born in Beirut, Hage grew up in Lebanon and Cyprus. He moved to New York City in 1984. In 1991, he relocated to Montreal, where he studied Photography at Dawson College and Fine Arts at Concordia University. He subsequently began exhibiting as a photographer, and has had...
, originally published in 2006.
The novel's primary characters are Bassam and George, lifelong friends living in wartorn Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
. The novel traces the different paths that the two follow as they face the difficult choice of whether to stay in Beirut and get involved in organized crime
Organized crime
Organized crime or criminal organizations are transnational, national, or local groupings of highly centralized enterprises run by criminals for the purpose of engaging in illegal activity, most commonly for monetary profit. Some criminal organizations, such as terrorist organizations, are...
, or to leave Lebanon and build a new life in another country. Ultimately, Bassam leaves Beirut behind, and George in the process, who kills himself.
Awards
The novel won the 2008 IMPAC Dublin Literary Award and was shortlisted for the 2006 Scotiabank Giller PrizeScotiabank Giller Prize
The Scotiabank Giller Prize, or Giller Prize, is a literary award given to a Canadian author of a novel or short story collection published in English the previous year, after an annual juried competition between publishers who submit entries...
and the 2006 Governor General's Award
2006 Governor General's Awards
The shortlisted nominees for the 2006 Governor General's Awards for Literary Merit were announced on October 16. Winning titles were announced on November 21...
for English fiction. Hage was also awarded two Quebec awards, the Hugh MacLennan Prize for Fiction
Quebec Writers' Federation Awards
The Quebec Writers' Federation Awards are a series of Canadian literary awards, presented annually by the Quebec Writers' Federation to the best works of literature in English by writers from Quebec.-Categories:...
and the McAuslan First Book Prize
Quebec Writers' Federation Awards
The Quebec Writers' Federation Awards are a series of Canadian literary awards, presented annually by the Quebec Writers' Federation to the best works of literature in English by writers from Quebec.-Categories:...
at the Quebec Writers' Federation literary awards.
The novel's French language
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
translation, Parfum de poussière, was translated by Sophie Voillot and won the 2009 edition of Le Combat des livres
Canada Reads
Canada Reads is an annual "battle of the books" competition organized and broadcast by Canada's public broadcaster, the CBC.-Overview:During Canada Reads, five personalities champion five different books, each champion extolling the merits of one of the titles. The debate is broadcast over a series...
.