‘The Orleans Method’ takes Readers’ Prize
«You know I don’t like false modesty. So let me tell you that I am pleased, very pleased,» said Evgenia Fakinou Tuesday on hearing she had won the first Readers’ Prize for her novel «I methodos tis Orleanis» (The Orleans Method), published by Kastaniotis. «I’m pleased because I think it’s an important prize and because it’s the first award I’ve ever received.» Fakinou won from a strong short list of six novels. The other contenders were «O Theios Takis» (Uncle Takis) by Yiannis Xanthoulis; «Yia mia syntrofia anamesa mas» (For a Little Companionship) by Nikos Themelis; «Synhoresi» (Forgiveness) by Soti Triantaphyllou; «Makrinoi orizontes» (Distant Horizons) by Giorgos Polyrakis, and «Psemata. I alitheia einai…» (Lies, The Truth Is…) by Lena Divani. The prize was organized by the National Book Center of Greece (EKEBI) and Skai Radio. Readers’ committees set up at 10 bookstores in Athens and Piraeus nominated books and Skai’s listeners voted online or by phone. The award was such a success that the organizers plan to continue it and broaden it to include bookstores from all over Greece.