Contact: Rose Trabbic, Publicist, Ignatius Press, 239-867-4180, rose@ignatius.com

DAYTON, Ohio, Sept. 1 /Christian Newswire/ -- "A Postcard from the Volcano" by Lucy Beckett (Ignatius Press) has been named a finalist in fiction for the 2010 Dayton Literary Peace Prize.

Inspired by the 1995 Dayton Peace Accords that ended the war in Bosnia, The Dayton Literary Peace Prize is the only international literary peace prize awarded in the United States. The Prize celebrates the power of literature to promote peace, social justice, and global understanding.

In her acclaimed epic novel on pre-war Germany, "A Postcard from the Volcano", British author Lucy Beckett combines beautiful prose with moving insights into the powerful impact that the world wars had on the lives of individuals and on whole countries. Beginning in 1914 and ending in the summer of 1933, this story follows the coming of age and early manhood of the Prussian aristocrat, Max von Hofmannswaldau. From the idyllic surroundings of his ancestral home to the streets of cosmopolitan Breslau menaced by the Nazi SS, Hofmannswaldau uncovers the truth about his own identity and confronts the modern ideologies that threaten the annihilation of millions of people.

Both intelligent and sensitive, Beckett's prose explores the complex philosophical and political questions that led Europe into a second world war, while never losing sight of a man whose life is shaped by his times. This deeply moving historical novel that shows the horrific impact that two world wars had on whole countries, and how individuals struggled to deal with the incredible challenges presented by such devastation.

Lucy Beckett says, "I am honored and delighted to have my novel named as a finalist for the 2010 Dayton Peace Prize. It is excellent that the prize recognizes that fiction, as well as non-fiction, can contribute to the increased understanding of the prejudice, pride and ignorance that have led to so many terrible events in human history."

"Each of this year's finalists inspire readers to rethink how the pressing issues facing our planet can best be resolved," says Sharon Rab, chair of the Dayton Literary Peace Prize. "In these increasingly uncertain and violent times, they remind us that the pen truly is mightier than the sword, and that lasting peace can be achieved through dialogue and knowledge."

A winner and runner-up in fiction and nonfiction will be announced on September 22nd. Winners receive a $10,000 honorarium and runners-up receive $1,000. They will be honored at a gala ceremony hosted by award-winning journalist Nick Clooney in Dayton on Sunday, November 7th.

A list of all finalists for the 2010 Dayton Literary Peace Prize can be found at www.daytonliterarypeaceprize.org.  

To be eligible for the 2010 awards, English-language books must have been published and translated into English in 2009 and address the theme of peace on a variety of levels, such as between individuals, among families and communities, or among nations, religions, or ethnic groups.

Finalists will be reviewed by a panel of prominent writers including Kenneth McClane, Cullen Murphy, Nancy Zafris and Katherine Vaz.

About the Dayton Literary Peace Prize
The Dayton Literary Peace Prize honors writers whose work uses the power of literature to foster peace, social justice, and global understanding. Launched in 2006, it has already established itself as one of the world's most prestigious literary honors, and is the only literary peace prize awarded in the United States. As an offshoot of the Dayton Peace Prize, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize awards a $10,000 cash prize each year to one fiction and one nonfiction author whose work advances peace as a solution to conflict, and leads readers to a better understanding of other cultures, peoples, religions, and political points of view.

About Lucy Beckett
Lucy Beckett studied history at Cambridge and is the author of several books, including her highly acclaimed work, "In the Light of Christ: Writings in the Western Tradition", as well as another work of historical fiction, "The Time Before You Die: A Novel of the Reformation". She lives in Yorkshire, England, where she teaches at Ampleforth Abbey.

To request a review copy of "A Postcard from the Volcano" or an interview with author Lucy Beckett, please contact:

Rose Trabbic
Publicist
Ignatius Press
(239)867-4180
rose@ignatius.com