The Booker Prize Longlist for 2024 has been announced, featuring a diverse selection of 13 books that explore themes of exile, displacement, identity, and belonging. Among the notable inclusions are Percival Everett’s „James,“ a reimagining of Mark Twain’s „Huckleberry Finn“ from the perspective of the runaway slave, Jim, and Hisham Matar’s „My Friends,“ which follows the lives of two friends from Libya who are impacted by a demonstration in London. While some expected contenders like Alexis Wright and Sally Rooney did not make the list, the chosen books promise to offer readers a wide range of perspectives and storytelling styles.
Two of the longlisted books, Richard Powers‘ „Playground“ and Rachel Kushner’s „Creation Lake,“ are set to be published next month. Powers and Kushner are both seasoned writers who have previously been recognized by the Booker Prize. Other highlights include Colin Barrett’s debut novel „Wild Houses,“ which explores the lives of two outsiders in a small Irish town, Tommy Orange’s „Wandering Stars,“ a historical exploration of Native American experiences, and Rita Bullwinkel’s „Headshot,“ which follows teenaged girl boxers at a championship in Nevada.
British writer Samantha Harvey’s „Orbital“ takes readers on a journey to space to reflect on Earth, while Sarah Perry’s „Enlightenment“ delves into the pursuit of love and astronomy. Claire Messud’s „This Strange Eventful History“ follows a family’s escape from France during World War II, while Dutch writer Yael van der Wouden’s debut novel „The Safekeep“ explores the aftermath of the Second World War. Anne Michaels‘ „Held“ is a narrative set around the First World War, and Charlotte Wood’s „Stone Yard Devotional“ tells the story of a middle-aged woman seeking peace amidst past traumas.
Edmund de Waal, Chair of Judges for the Booker Prize, noted that the longlisted books navigate themes of belonging, displacement, and return, offering readers a rich tapestry of storytelling. The shortlist of six books will be announced on September 16, with the winner revealed on November 12.
In other literary news, reviews of recent releases include C.P. Rajendran and Kusala Rajendran’s „The Rumbling Earth: The Story of Indian Earthquakes,“ which aims to demystify earthquakes and their impact. Marjane Satrapi’s new anthology of graphic essays, „Woman, Life, Freedom,“ explores feminist uprisings in Iran, while Pankaj Sekhsaria’s curated collection „The Great Nicobar Betrayal“ sheds light on environmental concerns in the Great Nicobar island.
Author Hari Kunzru’s latest novel, „Blue Ruin,“ delves into the world of contemporary art and the conflicting motivations behind artistic creation. A tribute to the late Ismail Kadare highlights the author’s work, including „The File on H,“ which explores themes of epic poetry, nationalism, and authoritarianism.
In the browser section, new releases like Vijayashri Sripati’s „Making Globalization Happen“ and Malavika Rajkotia’s „Unpartioned Time“ offer insights into global issues and personal histories. Elik Shafak’s „There are Rivers in the Sky“ and Megha Rao’s „Our Bones in Your Throat“ present engaging narratives that span time and place, connecting readers to ancient myths and contemporary realities.
Overall, the literary landscape is rich with diverse voices and compelling stories, offering readers a wealth of options to explore and enjoy.