Newfoundland author Michael Crummey wins prestigious Dublin Literary Award

ST. JOHN’S — Newfoundland and Labrador author Michael Crummey has won this year’s Dublin Literary Award.

Crummey’s winning book, “The Adversary,” is the winner of the prestigious prize, which is worth 100,000 euros or roughly $156,420.

The novel was published by Knopf Canada and tells the story of two siblings who own competing trading companies in a remote part of Newfoundland in the 19th century.

There is no kernel of goodness at the core of the two main characters and Crummey has said the dark, unflinching tale reckons with the worst of the world.

The prize is awarded annually by the Dublin City Council to a single work of international fiction in English, or a translation to English.

Past Canadian winners include Rawi Hage, for “De Niro’s Game,” and Alistair MacLeod, for “No Great Mischief.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 22, 2025.