Of course, the reliance on translations for the most part makes Anglophone assessments problematic, but better to at least make the attempt.
Group A:
1. Russia - Between Dostoevsky, Chekhov and Gogol, among others, easy group winners.
2. Egypt - Naguib Mahfouz is the most celebrated Egyptian author, and Cairo is the publishing centre of the Arab world.
3. Uruguay - Surely has authors of note, but none appear to have gained global renown.
4. Saudi Arabia - Little literary tradition due to Wahhabism.
Group B:
1. Spain - Cervantes in the past of course, but Cercas and Perez-Reverte are lighting up the present.
2. Portugal - Eco de Queiroz, Saramago ensure qualification.
3. Iran - Reliant on old classics, such as Firdusi and Omar Khayyam.
4. Morocco - Tahar Ben Jelloun won the IMPAC Award, but is outclassed here.
Group C:
1. France - Strong tournament contenders, between Hugo, Balzac, Proust and Camus.
2. Australia - Not a traditional heavyweight, but Carey, White, Kenneally and James demonstrate literary depth.
3. Peru - Over-reliant on Vargas Llosa.
4. Denmark - Have rather faded after previous glories with Andersen.
Group D:
1. Iceland - Along with sagas and Halldor Laxness, have made a Nordic noir impact with Indridason.
2. Nigeria - The literary capital of Anglophone Africa.
3. Argentina - Borges nearly secures qualification but has no support.
4. Croatia - Like Peru, reliant on Andric for global renown.
Group E:
1. Brazil - A rather weak group, this, but Paulo Coelho would be the most read author from any of these countries.
2. Switzerland - Largely down to Wyss's Swiss Family Robinson
3. Serbia - The Balkans has a notable literary tradition, but little is available in English.
4. Costa Rica - Even if one cheats with the Nicaraguan Ruben Dario, it's rather thin gruel.
Group F:
1. Germany - A clear winner, between Goethe, Mann, Grass, Tec.
2. Mexico - Roberto Bolano and Octavio Paz just edge it.
3. Sweden - Of course we're familiar with Mankell and Larsson in recent times, but quantity appears to dominate over quality.
4. South Korea - Perhaps more famous for music than literature.
Group G:
1. England - A consistent contender for ultimate honours.
2. Belgium - Little in the way of modern goalscorers, with Herge and Maeterlinck previous legends
3. Tunisia
4. Panama - Rank according to your personal preference.
Group H:
1. Japan - Murakami, Mishima and Ishiguoro win the group.
2. Colombia - Garcia Marquez proves the star player.
3. Poland - Milosz and Prus would be the most translated authors.
4. Senegal - Senghor was in the Academie Francaise.
Group A:
1. Russia - Between Dostoevsky, Chekhov and Gogol, among others, easy group winners.
2. Egypt - Naguib Mahfouz is the most celebrated Egyptian author, and Cairo is the publishing centre of the Arab world.
3. Uruguay - Surely has authors of note, but none appear to have gained global renown.
4. Saudi Arabia - Little literary tradition due to Wahhabism.
Group B:
1. Spain - Cervantes in the past of course, but Cercas and Perez-Reverte are lighting up the present.
2. Portugal - Eco de Queiroz, Saramago ensure qualification.
3. Iran - Reliant on old classics, such as Firdusi and Omar Khayyam.
4. Morocco - Tahar Ben Jelloun won the IMPAC Award, but is outclassed here.
Group C:
1. France - Strong tournament contenders, between Hugo, Balzac, Proust and Camus.
2. Australia - Not a traditional heavyweight, but Carey, White, Kenneally and James demonstrate literary depth.
3. Peru - Over-reliant on Vargas Llosa.
4. Denmark - Have rather faded after previous glories with Andersen.
Group D:
1. Iceland - Along with sagas and Halldor Laxness, have made a Nordic noir impact with Indridason.
2. Nigeria - The literary capital of Anglophone Africa.
3. Argentina - Borges nearly secures qualification but has no support.
4. Croatia - Like Peru, reliant on Andric for global renown.
Group E:
1. Brazil - A rather weak group, this, but Paulo Coelho would be the most read author from any of these countries.
2. Switzerland - Largely down to Wyss's Swiss Family Robinson
3. Serbia - The Balkans has a notable literary tradition, but little is available in English.
4. Costa Rica - Even if one cheats with the Nicaraguan Ruben Dario, it's rather thin gruel.
Group F:
1. Germany - A clear winner, between Goethe, Mann, Grass, Tec.
2. Mexico - Roberto Bolano and Octavio Paz just edge it.
3. Sweden - Of course we're familiar with Mankell and Larsson in recent times, but quantity appears to dominate over quality.
4. South Korea - Perhaps more famous for music than literature.
Group G:
1. England - A consistent contender for ultimate honours.
2. Belgium - Little in the way of modern goalscorers, with Herge and Maeterlinck previous legends
3. Tunisia
4. Panama - Rank according to your personal preference.
Group H:
1. Japan - Murakami, Mishima and Ishiguoro win the group.
2. Colombia - Garcia Marquez proves the star player.
3. Poland - Milosz and Prus would be the most translated authors.
4. Senegal - Senghor was in the Academie Francaise.
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