La Chambre solitaire (An Isolated Room) a novel by Korean author Shin Kyong-suk has won the 2nd Prix de l'Inaperçu in France. The Prix de l'Inaperçu was established by literary critics and literature journalists in France to honor exceptional literary works unjustly overlooked by major literature awards such as the Prix Goncourt and the Prix du Fémina.

Shin's novel written in 1999 shared the Prix de l'Inaperçu with a fictional work by French author Dominique Conil, the Korea Literature Translation Institute said in a press release.

The jury said La Chambre solitaire tells a "vast and in-depth story reflecting Korean society as well as the author's own life and family." The jury praised Shin for having produced remarkable work that weaves together many elements, such as the birth of democracy in Korea, the life of laborers, women's rights, and the life of the author herself.

"I am happy that my first book published in French won a meaningful award in France, and it is indeed refreshing to imagine readers across the continent," said Shin. The prize money 1,000 euros will be shared by the author and translator.