The Man Booker Prize 2016 Shortlist

Hello Gentle Reader

The six finalists have been named for this year’s Man Booker Prize, with an even split of female to male ratio of the writers. The list includes three English writers (one though born in Canada), two American writers, and one Canadian writer. The shortlist is as follows:

Deborah Levy – “Hot Milk,” (United Kingdom)

David Szalay – “All That Man Is,” (United Kingdom)

Graeme Macrae Burnet – “His Bloody Project,” (United Kingdom)

Ottessa Moshfegh – “Eileen,” (United States of America)

Paul Betty – “The Sellout,” (United States of America)

Madeline Thien – “Do Not Say We Have Nothing,” (Canada)

At first glance the shortlist does not appear unusual or out of place or more daring then recent lists prior. However, the book that stands out the most on this year’s shortlist is Graeme Macrae Burnet’s novel “His Bloody Project.” The novel has been described by some readers and critics as a crime novel; while others view it as a historical novel discussing a crime, and does not follow the typical crime novel pattern. This being said the shortlisted authors have beaten some of the more well-known writers that were included on the longlist, such as two time Booker winner and Nobel Laureate J.M. Coetzee. Deborah Levy once again finds herself on the shortlist since her last novel “Swimming Home.” Her novel “Hot Milk,” examines the toxicity of the mother daughter relationship, while also examining aspects of female rage and sexuality. David Szalay’s novel has also received attention for the questions of its form. The novel has been described some as being nine short stories in a sequence that creates a novel; the judges however have said the book is required to be read in a novelistic format to get a greater appreciation for the work; it’s been called a post-Brexit novel as it looks Europe as it faces greater difficulties and adverse changes. The Canadian writer Madeline Thien tackles the bloody history of China’s Cultural Revolution and the effects of the Tiananmen Square Protests in her novel “Do Not Say We Have Nothing.” While the two American writers on the list, beat out the more well-known writer Elizabeth Stout for their places on the shortlist.

This year’s Booker Prize has been called vigorous and rewarding; as it tackles international concepts as well as taboo subjects. One more mention to the shortlist, there are no doorstoppers this year on the shortlist. Perhaps at long last the ‘meganovel,’ has finally succumbed to some pruning and editing.

The winner for this year’s shortlist will be announced October 25^th. Personal opinion (as I have not read any of the books, and am only acquainted with one) I’d like to see Deborah Levy win this year’s award. This being said: Best of luck to all of the writers!

Thank-you For Reading Gentle Reader

Take Care

And As Always

Stay Well Read

M. Mary