Autobiography of Childhood shortlisted for the Amazon.ca First Novel Award!

Acclaimed author Sina Queyras's debut novel, Autobiography of Childhood, has been shortlisted for the 36th annual Amazon.ca First Novel Award!

In an announcement made the morning of February 21, Amazon.ca named the five finalists for the First Novel Award. Queyras's tale of the Combal family over the 24 hours when they learn one of their number is at death's door is among the finalists with other contenders such as The Free World by David Bezmozgis, The Man Who Killed by Fraser Nixon, Dancing Lessons by Olive Senior and Touch by Alexi Zentner. See the full list and announcement here.

The Combals are a family not unacquainted with death: they have never quite recovered from the loss of one of them in childhood. And now, on Valentine's Day, they are losing another. Autobiography of Childhood tells the story of six adult minds grappling with this death and their childhoods. As the Vancouver Sun said, 'It’s a sad story, but in many ways it’s universal. Everybody dies, we all lose siblings, and we all inevitably lose our childhood. Queyras has created a layered, intense look at relationships, life and families in her first novel.'

The winner of the 36th annual Amazon.ca First Novel Award will be named at the annual First Novel Award event on April 26, 2012 in Toronto. The winner will receive $7,500, and all finalists will receive a $750 gift certificate redeemable at Amazon.ca.

To encourage everyone to find out what Amazon.ca is talking about, we're offering Autobiography of Childhood at 25% off the cover price when you order through our online store. And, as always, you'll receive the epub for free when you order the print edition.