Two Ukrainian books make Peterson Literary Prize shortlist

The Canadian Peterson Literary Fund has announced the shortlist for the 2024 prize in nonfiction. 

The following books have been shortlisted: 

• “Invasion: Russia’s Bloody War and Ukraine’s Fight for Survival” – by Luke Harding (published by Faber & Faber, Penguin Random House) 
• “Bakhmut” – by Myroslav Laiuk (published by Ukraїner) 
• “De-occupation. Stories of Ukrainian resistance. 2022” – by Bohdan Logvynenko (published by Ukraїner) 
• “Killer in the Kremlin” – by John Sweeney (published by Penguin Random House) 
• “Our Enemies Will Vanish: The Russian Invasion and Ukraine’s War of Independence” – by Yaroslav Trofimov (published by Penguin Random House) 
• “War and Punishment: Putin, Zelensky, and the Path to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine” – by Mikhail Zygar (published by Simon & Schuster) 

“Our books with Myroslav are the only representatives of Ukrainian publishers to make it to the shortlist. Both will soon be published in English by our publishing house, and Myroslav’s book will also be available in several other languages abroad,” wrote Bohdan Logvynenko, co-founder of the Ukraїner Publishing House and author of “De-occupation”.

“Bakhmut” (Ukrainian cover) 

According to Lisa Shymko, chair of the jury, “because of Russia’s brutal and unprovoked war on Ukraine, we have seen an unprecedented number of outstanding books published on the topic of Ukraine, its history, its resistance, and its place on the global stage. In keeping with the vision of our founding benefactor, this year the members of the Peterson Literary Prize jury have chosen books that meet the diverse tastes of an international audience of readers.” 

“De-occupation. Stories of Ukrainian resistance. 2022” (Ukrainian cover)

The 2024 Peterson Literary Prize jury:

• Lisa Shymko;
• Marko R. Stech;
• Alexander J. Motyl;
• Askold Krushelnycky; nd
• Nadia Gereliouk.

The Peterson Literary Prize is valued at $30,000 CAD. The winning author will receive a prize of $25,000, and an additional $5,000 will be awarded to the book’s publisher. Shortlisted finalists will each receive $5,000 CAD. The winner of the Peterson Literary Prize will be announced at the fund’s annual gala in Toronto scheduled for late November/early December 2024.

The Peterson Literary Fund was established by Canadian philanthropist Stanley Peterson, whose generosity and far-sighted vision created a literary fund with Ukrainian roots and a global reach. Launched in 2021, the Peterson Literary Fund recognizes books that promote a better understanding of Ukraine-related topics relevant to a worldwide audience. It encourages publications that confront disinformation and dismantle Russian colonial narratives. The fund oversees several programs, including its cornerstone literary prize, translated book awards, and grant programs for writers, translators, and publishers.

RELATED: Peterson Literary Fund awards the best translated books to understand Ukraine (2023)

Copy editing: Joy Tataryn