Novel about Persian poet wins prestigious Russian Booker prize

A novel about the 9th century Persian poet Rudaki has won the prestigious Russian Booker Prize, the country’s equivalent of the Man Booker Prize. Andrei Volos’s Return to Panjrud was chosen from a shortlist of six candidates.

Volos will receive 1.5 million roubles (£27,600) for coming first while the remaining five authors will each be awarded 150,000 roubles (£2,800). Return to Panjrud follows the final days of Rudaki, who is widely considered to be the father of Persian classical literature. After Rudaki is blinded by the Sultan he is forced to walk 300km back to his home village, Panjrud. Along the way he is accompanied by a boy who serves as his “eyes”.

Source: RIA Novosti