Booker Prize

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Booker Prize

The Booker Prize, formerly known as the Booker-McConnell Prize and the Man Booker Prize, is a prestigious literary award presented annually for the best original novel written in the English language and published in the United Kingdom. The prize was first awarded in 1969 and has since become one of the most significant awards in the literary world.

History

The Booker Prize was established in 1968 by the Booker Group, a British food wholesaler, in association with the Publishers Association. The first award was given in 1969 to P. H. Newby for his novel Something to Answer For. In 2002, the Man Group became the sponsor, and the prize was renamed the Man Booker Prize. In 2019, the sponsorship ended, and the prize reverted to its original name, the Booker Prize.

Eligibility and Selection Process

The Booker Prize is open to authors of any nationality, provided their work is written in English and published in the UK. Initially, the prize was only open to authors from the Commonwealth of Nations, Ireland, and Zimbabwe, but this restriction was lifted in 2014.

The selection process involves a panel of judges, which changes annually. The judges are typically composed of authors, critics, and academics. The longlist, known as the "Booker Dozen," is announced in July, followed by the shortlist in September. The winner is announced at a ceremony in October.

Notable Winners

Over the years, the Booker Prize has been awarded to many notable authors, including:

• Salman Rushdie for Midnight's Children (1981)
• Margaret Atwood for The Blind Assassin (2000)
• Hilary Mantel for Wolf Hall (2009) and Bring Up the Bodies (2012)
• Kazuo Ishiguro for The Remains of the Day (1989)

Impact and Controversies

The Booker Prize has a significant impact on book sales and the careers of authors. Winning or even being shortlisted can lead to increased recognition and commercial success. However, the prize has also faced controversies, including debates over the eligibility criteria and the selection of winners.

Related Awards

The Booker Prize has inspired several related awards, including:

• The International Booker Prize, awarded for a book translated into English and published in the UK.
• The Booker Prize for Fiction, which is the main award.

See Also

• List of winners and shortlisted authors of the Booker Prize
• Literary awards
• Commonwealth Writers' Prize
• Costa Book Awards