The list of candidates, announced Wednesday by the jury, also includes novelists from the United States, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Born in 1968 in Rabat, Lalami, who also teaches at the University of California, is author of several literary critics. Her first novel, "Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits”, was published in 2005 and translated into five languages.

Her book, "Secret Son" , published in 2009, has attracted particular attention, notably in Britain where some newspapers commented extensively on the book.

The Orange Prize is considered among the top three literary prizes and the most prestigious in Britain. It rewards the best novel published by a woman in Great Britain during the year.

Launched in 1996, the prize is funded by the telecommunications company Orange.