Commenting on their selection, the Dublin Literary Award judges remarked that "its originality, its power, its lyricism, as well as its humane appeal all mark De Niro's Game as the work of a major literary talent and make Rawi Hage a truly deserving winner."
The Dublin Literary Award judges praised De Niro's Game as a work of significant literary merit, highlighting the author's unique qualities: originality, power, lyricism, and humane appeal. They recognized Rawi Hage as a talented writer who deservedly won the award.