https://www.scmp.com/rss/52486/feed The Man Asian Literary Prize, founded in 2007, is an annual literary award of US$ 30,000 given to the best novel by an Asian writer, either written in English or translated into English. Founded in 1783, the Man Group is the world's largest publicly traded hedge-fund manager, and also sponsors the prestigious Man Booker Prize. The Man group withdrew funding support for the Asian literary prize in 2012. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Karen Cheung Karen Cheung Every year, no matter the climate, there are books of the season. There are beach reads – pulpy, unserious and intended to be finished in a few sittings, typically summer romances, crime novels or celebrity memoirs – and then there are autumn reads, books to complement falling temperatures, back-to-school blues and Halloween. The Hong Kong summer is finally winding down, and it’s time for books that unsettle and disturb, books with a touch of melancholy, and books to wash down with a warm drink... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3325264/10-autumn-reads-hong-kong-and-overseas-asian-authors?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3325264/10-autumn-reads-hong-kong-and-overseas-asian-authors?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Sep 2025 05:00:46 +0000 2.5/5 stars The struggle of a Malaysian woman to preserve the memory of her younger sister, who died at the hands of Japanese colonial forces, propels Zinnia Flower director Tom Lin Shu-yu’s lavish drama covering three dramatic decades of Malaysia’s history. Adapted from Tan Twan Eng’s Man Asian Literary Prize winning novel, The Garden of Evening Mists won the 2019 Golden Horse Award for best make-up and costume design, and weaves a complex tapestry of grief, prejudice, romance and artistic... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3043299/garden-evening-mists-film-review-malaysian-historical-drama?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3043299/garden-evening-mists-film-review-malaysian-historical-drama?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Dec 2019 03:00:09 +0000 The Man Asian Literary Prize has a huge impact. Writers are thrust into the spotlight, small publishers get a look in, and bookshops see a spike in sales. Then there are the readers. The prize enables international and Asian readers to discover Asian writers. Professor David Parker, chair of the prize's board of directors, says its mission is to bring the best of Asian literature to the world, and that includes Asia. "I think Asia becoming conscious of being Asia is only just beginning to... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/books/article/1191603/man-asian-literary-prize-puts-asian-writers-world-spotlight?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/books/article/1191603/man-asian-literary-prize-puts-asian-writers-world-spotlight?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 17 Mar 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Tan Twan Eng knows all there is to know about Japanese gardens, can tell you all about Boer war postmarks, and he's even something of an expert on tattoos. It all went into his second novel, The Garden of the Evening Mists, which last week won the prestigious Man Asian Literary Prize. Not that the Malaysian lawyer turned author has much of a green thumb. In fact, he admits to having absolutely no interest in gardening. "One of the reasons it took so long to write the book was because I was very... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/books/article/1191600/audience-tan-twan-eng-winner-years-man-asian-literary-prize?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/books/article/1191600/audience-tan-twan-eng-winner-years-man-asian-literary-prize?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 17 Mar 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Tan Twan Eng has won the prestigious Man Asian Literary Prize for The Garden of Evening Mists, a novel that takes place in the aftermath of the Japanese occupation of Malaysia. The Malaysian writer received the US$30,000 award at a black-tie dinner at the Peninsula Hotel last night. "This comes as a huge shock. I'm often asked how important literary prizes are and I can unashamedly say bloody important," he said. "I'm so pleased especially that Jane hasn't come all the way from London for... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1190938/tale-unlikely-friendship-wins-man-asian-prize?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1190938/tale-unlikely-friendship-wins-man-asian-prize?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:00:00 +0000 And the Man Asia prize winner is … Asia's most prestigious literary prize is presented at a glittering ceremony in Hong Kong, as its principal sponsor prepares to bow out. Among the top contenders for the Man Asia Literary Prize are Pakistan's Musharraf Ali Farooqi, Japan's Hiromi Kawakami, Malaysia's Tan Twan Eng, Turkish Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk and Hong Kong-educated Jeet Thayil of India. The Man Group is ending its sponsorship of the event next year.   Leaders discuss Europe's woes EU... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1190078/talking-points?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1190078/talking-points?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:00:00 +0000 The Man Asian Literary Prize has grown in stature since it began in 2007, with some classing it as the "Asian Booker". But last October, the award's sponsor, The Man Group, announced that the 2012 prize - to be presented in Hong Kong on Thursday - would be the last it funded, which makes for an interesting impasse. On the one hand, the sophisticated novels that have been shortlisted for the 2012 prize bear testament to how far the Man Asian has come. Two were also shortlisted for the Man Booker... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/books/article/1186289/state-suspense-sponsor-bails-man-asian?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/books/article/1186289/state-suspense-sponsor-bails-man-asian?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 09 Mar 2013 16:00:00 +0000 The debut novel of an Indian poet and writer, who was educated in Hong Kong, is one of five works chosen for the 2012 Man Asian Literary Prize shortlist. Indian author Jeet Thayil's Narcopolis, which was also shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize for Fiction, joins four other novels spanning Turkey to Tokyo. The novelists, including a Nobel Laureate, come from Malaysia, Pakistan, Japan, Turkey and India but it was a no-show for China, which has fielded three Man Asian Literary Prize winners,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1124082/jeet-thayil-short-list-man-asian-literary-prize?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1124082/jeet-thayil-short-list-man-asian-literary-prize?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Under executive director David Parker, the Man Asian Literary Prize has evolved into the most sought-after award of its kind in the region. It has also evolved from an award for an unpublished manuscript into one for a published novel. One of the reasons for the change was to engage readers in the process. People around the world can now buy the books and read them before a winner is crowned. "The prize gives recognition to the writers - a recognition that's significantly different from being... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1114456/lifelong-love-literature?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1114456/lifelong-love-literature?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Dec 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Asia's top literary award received a huge blow after it was announced that its title sponsor will withdraw its funding this year. The Man Asian Literary Prize, awarded by a Hong Kong-based committee to an Asian writer, has lost the support of the Man Group and is now searching for a new sponsor. The Man Group's sponsorship not only included the prize money, but also all the organisational costs, including administration and publicity. An exact figure was not given, but organisers described it as... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1063512/funding-withdrawn-man-asian-literary-prize?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1063512/funding-withdrawn-man-asian-literary-prize?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Oct 2012 16:00:00 +0000 An unprecedented seven books were unveiled yesterday evening for the shortlist of the prestigious Man Asian Literary Prize 2011, after the judges said that the literary quality coming out of Asia was so good, they could not limit it to the usual five. The chairwoman of the judges, the BBC special correspondent Razia Iqbal, announced the shortlist via video link from London, where a simultaneous ceremony was being held in tandem with Hong Kong, the home of the Man-sponsored prize. She said the... https://www.scmp.com/article/989801/seven-books-too-good-put-two-down?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/989801/seven-books-too-good-put-two-down?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Illustrado by Miguel Syjuco Pan MacMillan HK$104 Miguel Syjuco's debut novel won the 2008 Man Asian Literary Prize. It tells several stories, but begins with that of Crispin Salvador, who starts by ending: he drowns in New York. It is 2002, and Salvador is a Filipino writer-in-exile who remains tethered to his homeland, even if this is merely to abuse it. Rewinding a few months we learn that another Filipino writer called Miguel Syjuco (some relation) is writing Salvador's biography: Eight... https://www.scmp.com/article/965945/illustrado?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/965945/illustrado?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Apr 2011 16:00:00 +0000 The influence of Chinese arts and culture is felt around the world, the endowment of a long history of creativity. However, politics at certain junctures in imperial times and more recently under Communist rule has been a destructive force for many artists. There is no denying that censorship today inhibits many mainland artists and writers from reaching the full extent of their creative powers. Despite this, Chinese artists are winning increasing recognition at home and abroad. Writers in... https://www.scmp.com/article/963935/mainland-artists-able-breach-language-barrier?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/963935/mainland-artists-able-breach-language-barrier?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Apr 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Soledad's Sister Jose Dalisay (Anvil Publishing) When Filipino multi-award-winning journalist, playwright and Philippine Star columnist Jose Dalisay's first novel, Killing Time in a Warm Place, came out in 1992, it soon became apparent that Southeast Asia was blessed with a new literary player of enormous potential. After this triumph, Dalisay focused his energies on writing screenplays, non-fiction, reportage, and on academic endeavours, and it was not until 2007 that his second... https://www.scmp.com/article/710481/book-2007?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/710481/book-2007?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Apr 2010 16:00:00 +0000 Mainland author Su Tong last night won the US$10,000 Man Asian Literary Prize for his novel The Boat to Redemption. Su, 46, from Suzhou but now based in Nanjing , received the award at a dinner at The Peninsula hotel. Also in contention were India's Omair Ahmad and Siddharth Chowdhury; Nitasha Kaul, originally from India but living in London; and Eric Gamalinda of the Philippines. The winning entry tells of how a former playboy is condemned to life on a river barge after his wife... https://www.scmp.com/article/698558/mainlander-su-tong-wins-man-asian-fiction-prize-novel-immense-charm?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/698558/mainlander-su-tong-wins-man-asian-fiction-prize-novel-immense-charm?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:00:00 +0000 Filipino author Miguel Syjuco has won the US$10,000 Man Asian Literary Prize for his novel Ilustrado. A panel of three internationally respected authors and literary judges, led by Adrienne Clarkson, the Hong Kong-born former governor general of Canada, selected from a shortlist of five books the story of a young Filipino caught in a scandal that permeates Philippine history. The award was made last night at a dinner at the Peninsula hotel. In a statement, Clarkson and fellow judges... https://www.scmp.com/article/660092/filipino-wins-asian-literary-prize?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/660092/filipino-wins-asian-literary-prize?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:00:00 +0000 Beijing author Jiang Rong won the inaugural Man Asian Literary Prize last night for his novel Wolf Totem - but he was unable to claim the award in person because of ill health. The novel - about a Beijing intellectual who goes to live in a nomadic settlement in Inner Mongolia during the Cultural Revolution - was chosen from a shortlist of five. The chairwoman of the judges, Adrienne Clarkson, former governor general of Canada, praised Wolf Totem as a 'panoramic novel' with a slowly developing... https://www.scmp.com/article/615213/beijing-writer-wins-first-man-asian-award-panoramic-novel?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/615213/beijing-writer-wins-first-man-asian-award-panoramic-novel?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 Nov 2007 16:00:00 +0000 Adrienne Clarkson was an inspired choice to chair the jury for the first Man Asia Literary Prize. She has a complicated Chinese-Australian-Hong Kong heritage and has been a book reviewer, author of romantic novels, award-winning literary commentator and broadcaster, publisher, and latterly governor-general of Canada. The prize could introduce Asian authors to new readers all over the world, Clarkson says. 'This is a highly sophisticated prize, bringing as it does writing from different parts of... https://www.scmp.com/article/613343/life-gate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/613343/life-gate?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Oct 2007 16:00:00 +0000 The shortlist The inaugural US$10,000 Man Asia Literary Prize (US$3,000 for the translator) will be announced on November 10 in Hong Kong. Below are the five works that made the cut from the long list of 23. Families at Home by Reeti Gadekar (India) Gadekar was born and raised in New Delhi and has a PhD in German literature from Jawaharlal Nehru University. Families at Home is about the murder of a woman in one of New Delhi's leading families. Habit of a Foreign Sky by Xu Xi (Hong Kong) Named... https://www.scmp.com/article/613342/shortlist?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/613342/shortlist?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Oct 2007 16:00:00 +0000 The search for the first winner of the Man Asian Literary Prize began in earnest on Friday with the announcement in Hong Kong of the 23 authors whose works have been selected for the longlist. The award, sponsored by Man Group, the backer of the Man Booker Prize for Fiction and Hong Kong's International Literary Festival, attracted more than 240 entries from countries including India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar, Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, China,... https://www.scmp.com/article/601402/contenders-asian-prize-named?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/601402/contenders-asian-prize-named?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Jul 2007 16:00:00 +0000 Prominent author Nury Vittachi has been kicked off the board of the Literary Festival, which he co-founded, after months of acrimony with other members over the administration of the event and the Man Asian Literary Prize, to be awarded for the first time this autumn. The board held an extraordinary general meeting on Monday to endorse the decision, which was communicated to Vittachi on January 9. The author claims he has been ostracised for disagreeing with the other members - in particular... https://www.scmp.com/article/581321/literary-festival-board-ousts-vittachi-amid-acrimony?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/581321/literary-festival-board-ousts-vittachi-amid-acrimony?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Feb 2007 16:00:00 +0000 Book lovers rejoiced last year when it was announced at the literary fest that the Man Group would start a literary prize just for Asian writers. Now the push is to encourage regional writers to submit entries for consideration. Tomorrow night, Women In Publishing Society Hong Kong (WiPS) will do their part. They are holding a workshop called 'First Books: Writing What You Know', featuring three experienced female writers and moderated by the author Xu Xi, at 6.30pm in the Foreign... https://www.scmp.com/article/581065/have-you-got-write-stuff-regional-award?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/581065/have-you-got-write-stuff-regional-award?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Feb 2007 16:00:00 +0000 A major new literary prize to recognise the work of Asian writers was launched last night at the Man Hong Kong International Literary Festival. The Man Asian Literary Prize, which aims to bring the work of Asian writers to the attention of the international literary community, will first be awarded in autumn next year. Matt Dillon, regional managing director of Man Investments, Asia-Pacific, said: 'Through this prize we aim to foster the publication of new Asian voices in English and to help... https://www.scmp.com/article/540319/prize-aims-nurture-writers-region?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/540319/prize-aims-nurture-writers-region?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Mar 2006 16:00:00 +0000