Russell was influenced at a young age by the works by short story writer George Saunders (who is also recognized on the acknowledgment page of the novel) and other gothic writers, particularly Stephen King, who influenced the creation of "Swamplandia!" In another interview she admits that she likes to mix up genres and is reluctant to have her novel summarized under one literary tradition, in particular, the Bildungsroman tradition. Writing in "The New York Times", novelist Emma Donoghue praised "Swamplandia!", stating: "Vividly worded, exuberant in characterization, the novel is a wild ride: Russell has style in spades." Donoghue continued: "If Russell's style is a North American take on magical realism, then her commitment to life's nitty-gritties anchors the magic; we are more inclined to suspend disbelief at the moments that verge on the paranormal because she has turned "Swamplandia!" into a credible world." The "Times" named "Swamplandia!" one of the ten best books of 2011. The book was also named to the longlist for the 2011 Orange Prize for Fiction, an annual book award in the United Kingdom for female writers It was one of three finalists for the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, though no prize was ultimately awarded. It was one of three nominees for the inaugural Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction (2012) presented by the American Library Association for the best adult fiction. Novelist Stephen King praised the novel as being: "Brilliant, funny, original . . . It's every bit as good as her short stories promised it would be. This book will not leave my mind." "Swamplandia!" was ranked the sixth greatest novel of the 2010s in "Paste". In October 2011, HBO announced that it was producing a half-hour television series based on "Swamplandia!" with Scott Rudin serving as executive producer. In November 2013, however, Russell said an HBO adaptation was not likely to happen. This book has been translated to the following languages: