Second Round of the Women's World Cup of Literature [Women's World Cup of Literature]

The second round of the first ever “Women’s World Cup of Literature”: kicks off later today, with Canada taking on New Zealand.

Before posting that result, I wanted to make sure that everyone is up to speed, so here’s a preview of all six second round matches, with links to how they won their first round match-up:

Monday, June 22nd: Oryx & Crake by Margaret Atwood (Canada) vs. The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton (New Zealand) (Judged by Lizzy Siddal)

Tuesday, June 23rd: The Hottest Dishes of the Tartar Cuisine by Alina Bronsky (Germany) vs. Queen Pokou by Veronique Tadjo (Côte d’Ivoire) (Judged by Kalah McCaffrey)

Wednesday, June 24th: Beyond the Islands by Alicia Yánez Cossío (Ecuador) vs. Dark Heart of the Night by Léonora Miano (Cameroon) (Judged by Margaret Carson)

Thursday, June 25th: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigeria) vs. Burial Rites by Hannah Kent (Australia) (Judged by Meytal Radzinski)

Friday, June 26th: Assault on Paradise by Tatiana Lobo (Costa Rica) vs. The Happy City by Elvira Navarro (Spain) (Judged by Katrine Øgaard Jensen)

Saturday, June 27th: Texas: The Great Theft by Carmen Boullosa (Mexico) vs. Delirium by Laura Restrepo (Colombia) (Judged by Hilary Plum)

Following that, four books will face off in the quarterfinals (the two titles with the largest goal differential getting byes) starting next week. Just like with the real Women’s World Cup, we’re getting down to some pretty intense match-ups . . .

And here’s an updated bracket showing all the second round contests:

Come back in a few hours for the start of round two with Atwood versus Catton in what promises to be a massive showdown of major literary talents.