Indian-origin writer among the finalists for United States literary award

An Indian-origin writer is among the finalists for one of the most prestigious US literary award for his non-fiction book set in war-torn Afghanistan.

Anand Gopal is among the finalists in the non-fiction category for the 2014 National Book Award for his book 'No Good Men Among the Living: America, the Taliban, and the War through Afghan Eyes'.

Gopal, who has served as an Afghanistan correspondent for The Wall Street Journal and The Christian Science Monitor, chronicles the lives of three Afghans caught in America's decade-long war on terror.

Among the other finalists are Rabih Alameddine, shortlisted in fiction for "An Unnecessary Woman", US Marine Corps veteran Phil Klay nominated for "Redeployment".

Marilynne Robinson, a Pulitzer Prize winner and two-time National Book Award finalist, was selected for "Lila," a book about a young, homeless girl in Iowa.

The National Book Award is one of the nation's most prestigious literary prizes that identify and reward quality writing.