Le Carre withdraws from Man Booker International

Statement issued by author’s literary agent

30 March 2011

Following the announcement of the thirteen finalists of the Man Booker International Prize 2011, announced in Sydney, Australia this morning (10.30 Australia EST; 00.30 BST), literary agents, Curtis Brown, have issued the following statement on behalf of John le Carré:

"I am enormously flattered to be named as a finalist of 2011 Man Booker International Prize.  However I do not compete for literary prizes and have therefore asked for my name to be withdrawn."

Rick Gekoski, Chair of the Man Booker International Prize 2011 judges comments in response:

"John le Carré's name will, of course, remain on the list. We are disappointed that he wants to withdraw from further consideration because we are great admirers of his work."

The Man Booker Prize Fiction at its finest