Acclaim but no prize for translator

A Norfolk literary translator has won acclaim for her version of a French novel set in Gaza - despite missing out on the national prize she was nominated for.

A Norfolk literary translator has won acclaim for her version of a French novel set in Gaza - despite missing out on the national prize she was nominated for.

Adriana Hunter, pictured, was shortlisted for the Marsh Award for her translation of Message in a Bottle, a story by Val�rie Zenatti aimed at giving younger readers a better understanding of the conflict in the Middle East.

The winner of the prize was announced at a London ceremony by acclaimed children's author Anthony Horowitz.

Although Mrs Hunter's translation of the topical tale about an Israeli teenager's internet friendship with a young Palestinian man did not win, Mr Horowitz said it should appear on every bookshelf in the country.

Mrs Hunter, 45, from Great Fransham, said: 'I am not too disappointed; it was a fantastic evening.

'Anthony Horowitz said how important it was for children to have access to books from other countries.

'He said Message in a Bottle was a very important book and every teenager should be made to read it, which was amazing.'

The winner of the 2009 Marsh Award for Children's Literature in Translation was Toby Alone by Timoth�e de Fombelle, translated by Sarah Ardizzone.

Mrs Hunter said it was a 'great book' which she had also wanted to translate from the French original.