The Man Booker Prize Longlist 2015

Hello Gentle Reader

Last year saw the pilot project for The Man Booker Prize’s new venture – that is the inclusion of American writers to compete for the prize. It was considered quite a success by many. Yet there is still no word, on when the Pulitzer Prize, will open its borders up to other English language nations to, compete for it. In all though, last year’s judges, did the tightrope act, as the longlist and subsequent shortlist, would be under severe scrutiny by many. Both the longlist and the shortlist would have to be ‘balanced.’ The prize could not be too UK-centric nor could it lean to favourable to the American side either; and then it would not ensure that proper representation from other countries were equally given consideration. In the end, the judges succeed in playing the sides perfectly, and giving fair opportunity to each writer and novel. Yet the change is still new, and there is still apprehension over this inclusiveness, as the Booker Prize attempts to retain relevancy in an ever changing literary world. The longlist below is as depicted on “The Guardian,” website (a link will be provided at the end of this post). The list is compose as follows: Writer’s name – Book – Country

The Booker Prize Longlist:

Marlon James – “A Brief History of Seven Killings,” – Jamaica
Anne Tyler – “A Spool of Blue Thread,” – America
Anuradha Roy – “Sleeping on Jupiter,” – India
Chigozie Obioma – “The Fisherman,” – Nigeria
Bill Clegg – “Did You Ever Have a Family,” – America
Anne Enright – “The Green Road,” – Ireland
Laila Lalami – “The Moor’s Account,” – America
Tom McCarthy – “Satin Island,” – United Kingdom
Andrew O’Hagan – “The Illuminations,” – United Kingdom
Sunjeev Sahota – “The Year of the Runaway,” – United Kingdom
Anna Smaill – “The Chimes,” – New Zealand
Hanya Yanagihara – “A Little Life,” – America
Marilynne Robinson – “Lila,” – America

There it is Gentle Reader, The Booker Prize Longlist. On it there are:
5 – American
3 – United Kingdom
1 – New Zealand
1 – Jamaican
1 – Nigerian
1 – Indian
1 – Irish

Thirteen writers and books in total Gentle Reader. This year’s Booker Prize has been called diverse, and has shown the judges to engage with both established talents, and writers currently establishing themselves into the literary scene. Some have noted a more openness to racial differences. It may turn out to be an interesting year for the Booker Prize.

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M. Mary

The Booker Prize Longlist depicted on "The Guardian."

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jul/29/man-booker-prize-2015-the-longlist-in-pictures

Article via "The Guardian," discussing the diversity of this years award:

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jul/29/man-booker-longlist-new-diverse