Jan Michalski Prize shortlist

       The Jan Michalski Prize for Literature -- admirably international in what it's willing to consider -- has pared down its list of contenders to three finalists:

• L'aigle et le Dragon by Serge Gruzinski
• The Colonel by Mahmoud Dowlatabadi
• The Emperor of Lies by Steve Sem-Sandberg

       I'm glad to see the Dowlatabadi still (deservedly) in the mix.
       The winner will be announced in November.