Man Booker Longlist 2017

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Longlisted books in a pile

The longlist, or ‘Man Booker Dozen’, for the £50,000 Man Booker Prize was announced on Wednesday 26th July. The Man Booker Prize for Fiction, first awarded in 1969, is open to writers of any nationality, writing in English and published in the UK.

This year’s longlist of 13 books was selected by a panel of five judges: Baroness Lola Young (Chair); literary critic, Lila Azam Zanganeh; Man Booker Prize shortlisted novelist, Sarah Hall; artist, Tom Phillips CBE RA; and travel writer, Colin Thubron CBE.

The list was chosen from 144 submissions published in the UK between 1 October 2016 and 30 September 2017.

The 2017 longlist, or Man Booker ‘Dozen’ is:

  • 4 3 2 1 by Paul Auster (US) (Faber & Faber
  • Days Without End by Sebastian Barry (Ireland) (Faber & Faber)
  • History of Wolves by Emily Fridlund (US) (Weidenfeld & Nicolson)
  • Exit West by Mohsin Hamid (Pakistan-UK) (Hamish Hamilton)
  • Solar Bones by Mike McCormack (Ireland) (Canongate)
  • Reservoir 13 by Jon McGregor (UK) (4th Estate)
  • Elmet by Fiona Mozley (UK) (JM Originals)
  • The Ministry Of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy (India) (Hamish Hamilton)
  • Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders (US) (Bloomsbury Publishing)
  • Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie (UK-Pakistan) (Bloomsbury Circus)
  • Autumn by Ali Smith (UK) (Hamish Hamilton)
  • Swing Time by Zadie Smith (UK) (Hamish Hamilton)
  • The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (US) (Fleet)

We’ve taken up the challenge and are currently making our way through the list. For a bit of inspiration please read some of our CCB reviews so far:

Swing Time by Zadie Smith

Swing Time by Zadie Smith Book Cover

It’s the 1970’s: two mixed race girls growing up on the wrong side of town. This novel is a melting pot of tensions between themselves, their families, their aspirations and their experiences both conscious and unconscious. Raw and pacey, it covers several decades and touches on many social issues including western aid, race, mother/daughter relationships, ambition, class and culture. But it is ultimately a story about friendship and human experiences.

The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy

The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy front cover

In a rich and knowing narrative set in Dehli and Kashmir in the wake of partition through the eyes of two characters, Anjum a transgender woman and Tilo an architect. A complex and colourful novel that inspires empathy for humanity despite its shortcomings.

Days Without End by Sebastian Barry

Days Without End by Sebastian Barry front cover

A harrowing account of the American Civil War depicted in beautiful language which incorporates both Irish and deep-south American slang. A sensitively-written story of the horrors of war, friendship and homosexual love. Brutal, fascinating and an incredible read.

 

Come into the shop or order from us to get a copy of any of the longlisted books. If you’d like to discuss the books further or would like to send us your own review please get in touch by dropping into the shop or emailing [email protected].