Newman Prize for Chinese Literature
Encyclopedia
The Newman Prize for Chinese Literature was established in 2008 by the Institute for U.S.-China Issues
at the University of Oklahoma
. The first major American award for Chinese literature, the Newman Prize is awarded every two years. It is granted solely on the basis of literary merit, and any living author writing in Chinese is eligible for recommendation. The Prize honors Harold J. and Ruth Newman, whose generosity enabled the establishment of the OU Institute for US-China Issues.
for his Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out. Han Shaogong
was awarded the second Newman Prize for his A Dictionary of Maqiao
in 2011. The 2013 Newman prize will be awarded for Chinese poetry.
Institute for U.S.-China Issues
The Institute for U.S.-China Issues at the University of Oklahoma, established in August 2006, engages in research and outreach activities that seek to better understand and improve US-China relations. It also seeks to promote China studies in the State of Oklahoma. The generous financial support...
at the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
. The first major American award for Chinese literature, the Newman Prize is awarded every two years. It is granted solely on the basis of literary merit, and any living author writing in Chinese is eligible for recommendation. The Prize honors Harold J. and Ruth Newman, whose generosity enabled the establishment of the OU Institute for US-China Issues.
Nominations and Ceremony
Nominations for candidates and the selection of the winner are both handled by an international jury of distinguished experts, based on a transparent voting process. The winner is awarded US $10,000 and a plaque, and is invited to the University of Oklahoma to participate in an award ceremony and academic activities.Prize Winners
The first Newman Prize for Chinese Literature was awarded in 2009 to Mo YanMo Yan
Mo Yan is a modern Chinese author, described as "one of the most famous, oft-banned and widely pirated of all Chinese writers". He is known in the West for two of his novels which were the basis of the film Red Sorghum. He has been referred to as the Chinese answer to Franz Kafka or Joseph Heller...
for his Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out. Han Shaogong
Han Shaogong
Han Shaogong is a Chinese novelist and fictionist.Han was born in Hunan, China. While relying on traditional Chinese culture, in particular Chinese mythology, folklore, Taoism and Buddhism as source of inspiration, he also borrows freely from Western literary techniques...
was awarded the second Newman Prize for his A Dictionary of Maqiao
A Dictionary of Maqiao
A Dictionary of Maqiao is a novel written by Chinese writer Han Shaogong. It was first published in 1996 and has been translated into English by Julia Lovell. Yazhou Zhoukan selected it as one of the top 100 greatest Chinese novels in the 20th century.Maqiao is a village in Hunan province, China...
in 2011. The 2013 Newman prize will be awarded for Chinese poetry.