They have announced the Man Booker long list for 2013. Every year, I vow that I shall keep away from it and every year I succumb. I have only read one of the books but will probably read more. I would guess that the two Irish men – Colum McCann and Colm Tóibín must be favourites. Surprised not to see Life After Life or Ghana Must Go. Indeed, none of the Granta’s Best Young British Novelists. Seven women, six men. Très politically correct. Of the nationalities:
three definitely English though I am not so sure about Richard House who was born in Cyprus and has lived in the US
three Irish
one US, though Ruth Ozeki is presumably on the list as she has Canadian nationality as well
one Canadian (in addition to Ruth Ozeki)
one Indian
one Malaysian
one New Zealander
one Zimbabwean
no Welsh or Scottish representatives
Eve Harris has yet to be published but the others have been, though Charlotte Mendelson’s nominated book is not out till August and Eleanor Catton’s, Alison MacLeod’s and Jhumpa Lahiri’s nominated books are not out till September. An interesting if mixed bag.
Take a look at the Guardian’s Not the Booker Prize for an alternative view.