The Man Booker Prize, 2012

by Cliff | Posted on July 26, 2012

The long list for the 2012 Man Booker Prize has been announced. This prize is one that I watch each year because it helps to identify some of the best literature in English other than American writers. Without it, I’m afraid there are things I’d miss or never hear about. I’ve heard of many of the long-listers this year, but haven’t read any of these books. The shorlist will be announced in September and the winner will be revealed on October 16.

This year’s long list (with links to samples):

Nicola Barker for The Yips

Ned Beauman for The Teleportation Accident

Andre Brink for Philida (No sample available online)

Tan Twan Eng for The Garden of Evening Mists

Michael Frayn for Skios

Rachel Joyce for The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

Deborah Levy for Swimming Home

Hilary Mantel for Bring up the Bodies

Alison Moore for The Lighthouse (PDF link)

Will Self for Umbrella

Jeet Thayil for Narcopolis

Sam Thompson for Communion Town

About the author

I am the author of three novels--THE LAST BIRD OF PARADISE, OLIVER'S TRAVELS, and THE SHAMAN OF TURTLE VALLEY--and three story collections--IN AN UNCHARTED COUNTRY, HOUSE OF THE ANCIENTS AND OTHER STORIES, and WHAT THE ZHANG BOYS KNOW, winner of the Library of Virginia Literary Award for Fiction. I am also the co-founder and former editor of Prime Number Magazine and the editor of the award-winning anthology series EVERYWHERE STORIES: SHORT FICTION FROM A SMALL PLANET.