Northwestern University Press Celebrates 2009 Nobel Prize

EVANSTON, Ill. --- The staff of Northwestern University Press today toasted one of its now famous authors-in-translation upon hearing that Romania-born German writer Herta Mueller was named winner of the 2009 Nobel Prize in Literature.

In 1998, Northwestern University Press published the paperback edition of Mueller's novel "The Land of Green Plums" and the original hardcover translation of her novel "Travelling on One Leg."

"Land of the Green Plums" tells the story of a group of friends who are targets of Romania's secret police. It is but one of many works by Mueller about Romanian life under the cruel, erratic regime of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. The book was awarded the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award.

"Travelling on One Leg" was first published in 1989. In this novel about a Romania-born German who immigrates to West Germany, Mueller explores how the personal becomes political.

The academic press is not a stranger to Nobel Award-related celebrations. In 2002, writer Imre Kertesz won the Nobel Prize in Literature. Northwestern University Press was the sole publisher of the Hungarian writer's works.

"That authors associated with Northwestern University Press continue to win such prestigious awards affirms our ongoing commitment to finding the best literature from around the world," said Sarah Pritchard, Northwestern's Charles Deering McCormick University Librarian.

For information about Northwestern University Press, visit its Web site at http://www.nupress.northwestern.edu/.