The Ha Noi Writers Association has announced its annual prizes, which recognise some of the most enjoyable books of the year by writers based in the city.

The prizes will be awarded to works in four categories of literature, poetry, criticism and translation.

Ho Anh Thai’s SBC La San Bat Chuot (MHT Means Mice-Hunting Team) beat seven others in the literary category to win the top prize.

The 11-chapter book is about fighting between mice and men, and is intended as a humorous satire about daily life in Ha Noi. “The association’s 2012 literary prize was awarded to SBC La San Bat Chuot to recognise the writer’s creativity in his writing,” said Pham Xuan Nguyen, the chairman of the association.

In addition, Thai succeeded in using a unique structure for the novel, which earned him eight votes out of nine.

A well-known contemporary writer in Viet Nam, Thai is regarded as a literary phenomenon of the post-war generation. More than 20 novels and short story collections by Thai have been translated into ten languages.

A poetry collection entitled Buoi Cau Ho Hung (A Wandering Fishing) by Nguyen Binh Phuong; a literary criticism work by Ngo Thao and a translation of Lolita by veteran translator Duong Tuong also won the association’s 2012 prizes announced on Monday.

The association will award a lifetime achievement prize to the late poet Phung Cung (1928-97). The award ceremony will take place at Ha Noi Library on October 10.

See: Vietnam Net