THE PEACOCK THRONE, Sujit Saraf's second novel, has been shortlisted for the 2009 Encore Award along with novelists such as Indra Sinha, Adam Mars-Jones and Judy Corbalis.

The prize, given by the Society of Authors for the best second novel of 2007 and 2008, will be judged by Alex Clark, Lindsay Duguid and Peter Parker. The winner of the £10,000 prize will be announced on 19 May 2009.

THE PEACOCK THRONE is published by Sceptre in the UK and will be published in France by Grasset later this year.

Praise for THE PEACOCK THRONE:

'One of the best novels I have read this year. A novel distinguished by the writer's capacity to tell a powerful and ambitious story.' Tabish Kahir, New Statesman

'This sprawling novel teems with memorable characters and historical figures, plots and subplots. Saraf's rambunctious commentary on the nature of greed and mendacity is enthralling, but it's the lives of the ordinary people that provide the real drama in this huge novel.' Eithne Farry, Daily Mail

'Gives a more truthful picture of 21st century India than anything in the earnest pages of the Wall Street Journal. The novel recreates the chaos, violence and stench of Indian urban life with enormous skill and fidelity. ...a masterly work.' Chandak Sengoopta, Independent

For more information on Sujit, click here.

For Sujit Saraf's website, click here.