He was chosen from among several prominent writers, including John Updike, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Saul Bellow, Gunter Grass and Muriel Spark.
Kadare je izabran u konkurenciji nekoliko znamenitih pisaca uključujući Johna Updikea, Gabriela Garciu Marqueza, Saula Bellowa, Guntera Grassa i Muriel Spark.