Narcis by Judith Fanto takes home top book prize
A novel about a Dutchman living in Austria during the interwar period has been awarded the 2026 NS Public Prize....
Judith Fanto's novel "Narcis" has been awarded the prestigious 2026 NS Public Prize. The story revolves around Manno, a Dutchman who relocates to Vienna after the death of his mother. He forms a circle of friends whose bonds are put to the test as Hitler ascends to power. Fanto expressed her delight during a ceremony on Thursday evening, stating that the recognition from readers is a joyous culmination of many years of hard work.
The award, now in its 25th year, is a joint venture between the Foundation for Collective Promotion of the Dutch Book and Dutch railway operator NS. Over 131,000 readers participated in the voting process, and "Narcis" emerged victorious over five other notable works, including "The Superfluous" by Herman Koch. Fanto received €7,500 and a sculpture as part of the prize.
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