The shortlist for the 2016 Man Booker Prize was announced today (13 September). The prize celebrates fiction at its finest, and is open to writers of any nationality, writing originally in English and published in the UK. It is recognised as the leading prize for high quality literary fiction written in English.
We are pleased to announce the shortlisted titles for the 2016 prize. The six chosen books represent the best of fiction written in English. The judges remarked on the role of the novel in exploring culture and in tackling unfamiliar and challenging subjects, and on the shortlisted authors’ willingness to play with language and form. The shortlist features a variety of voices, from new names to award winners, and covers a diverse range of subjects, from murder in 19th century Scotland to classical music in Revolutionary China.
Click on any title for more information or to leave a review.
2016 shortlist
• Paul Beatty (US) – The Sellout (Oneworld)
• Deborah Levy (UK) – Hot Milk (Hamish Hamilton)
• Graeme Macrae Burnet (UK) – His Bloody Project (Contraband)
• Ottessa Moshfegh (US) – Eileen (Jonathan Cape)
• David Szalay (Canada-UK) – All That Man Is (Jonathan Cape)
• Madeleine Thien (Canada) – Do Not Say We Have Nothing (Granta Books)
The overall winner will be announced on Tuesday 25 October.
A word from the judges
‘The Man Booker Prize subjects novels to a level of scrutiny that few books can survive. In re-reading our incredibly diverse and challenging longlist, it was both agonizing and exhilarating to be confronted by the sheer power of the writing. As a group we were excited by the willingness of so many authors to take risks with language and form.The final six reflect the centrality of the novel in modern culture –in its ability to champion the unconventional, to explore the unfamiliar, and to tackle difficult subjects.’ Amanda Foreman, Head of judges
Get involved
What do you think of the shortlisted titles? Which have you read? Share your thoughts on Twitter and Facebook using #ManBooker2016 and #FinestFiction, add your comments below, or leave a review for any of the titles by clicking on them above.
For more information, visit the Man Booker Prize website or follow Man Booker Prize on Instagram.
Listen to a series of literary podcasts about the 2016 prize, hosted by Radio 2’s Joe Haddow.
Inspire your reading group with these Man Booker Prize 2016 longlist readers’ guides which are now available to download on the Man Booker Prize website.
Six lucky reading groups have been chosen to shadow this year’s shortlist, and we will be sharing more about the groups’ experiences in the coming days.
