“The thirteen books, of course, reflect and allow reflection on the planet’s concerns in recent years,” said Jury Chairman Neil MacGregor, in a statement carried by AFP, referring specifically to diseases, racial issues, gender issues or even the fragility of the political system.
Twenty-year-old American Leila Motley became the youngest nominee for the prestigious literary prize in her history, for her first novel, “Nightcrawling”, which deals with the story of the main character in the failure of the judicial system that persecutes young black women.
In contrast, Britain’s Alan Garner became the dean of nominees in the award’s history. The 88-year-old writer was chosen at the award ceremony in October for his novel Treacle Walker.
The shortlist of nominations also included Small Things Like This, a short novel by Irish writer Claire Keegan, which previously won the Orwell Prize for political fiction in mid-July, and deals with the story of a timber and coal merchant in Ireland in 1985.
The list also included four other novelists who had previously been nominated for “Booker”, they are: No Violet Bulawayo from Zimbabwe for “Glory”, the American Karen Joy Fowler for “Booth”, the British Graeme MacRae Burnett for “case study”, and the American Elizabeth Strout for ” Oh William!”
A jury comprising five members chose the thirteen works from among 169 novels published in Britain or Ireland between October 1, 2021 and September 30, 2022. Eight of the thirteen shortlisted names were women, while three were chosen for their first novels.
The prize was awarded last year to South African novelist and playwright Damien Galgot for his book “The Promise”, which takes place between the end of the apartheid regime and the presidency of Jacob Zuma, and depicts the gradual dissolution of a white family from Pretoria as the country progresses on the path to democracy.
The names of the six finalists will be announced on September 6, with the winner announced on October 17, and he will receive a cash prize of 50,000 pounds (regarding $60,000), in addition to global fame. provided by the title.
