Park Kyung-ni literary prize goes to Robinson

American author Marilynne Robinson has been announced as this year’s recipient of the third annual Park Kyung-ni literary prize.

Robinson, 69, is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and essayist best known for her award-winning novels “Housekeeping,” “Gilead” and “Home.” “Gilead,” which is a story based on the fictional autobiography of the Reverend John Ames, landed the author a Pulitzer Prize award for fiction in 2005.

“We wanted to award one of American literature’s most talented writers who has been able to provide readers with a deeper understanding and insight into human nature while continuing to develop and expand her works,” stated one of the literary award judges.

The literary award was first established in 2011 to commemorate the late novelist Park Kyung-ni, who was a major figure in Korean literature. This year’s award ceremony will be held Oct. 26 at the Toji Foundation of Culture in Wonju, Gangwon Province.

(juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)