Upon viewing the shortlist for the Booker Prize, it is noticeable that there is a strong American nominee presence. The only Brit to make the shortlist was Nadifa Mohamed. A former winner of the Booker Prize Kazuo Ishiguro did not make the list, neither did Rachel Cusk who is best known for her Outline trilogy.
It is not a complete American takeover, but it is a strong list. This includes Pulitzer prize winner and former nominee for the Booker Prize, Richard Powers. Additionally, debut novelist Patricia Lockwood, and novelist and travel writer Maggie Shipstead.
Rounding out the shortlist of nominees, third-time nominee Damon Galgut, a South African author, and Sri Lankan Tamil novelist Anuk Arudpragasam.
It is interesting to note that in addition, four of the six shortlisted authors are 40 years old or younger.
The books nominated are as listed:
- The Fortune Men by Nadifa Mohamed
- Bewilderment by Richard Powers
- The Promise by Damon Galgut
- Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead
- No One is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood
- A Passage North by Anuk Arudpragasam
The winner of the Booker Prize will be announced on November 4th (AEDT).