The first list of Man Booker Prize possibilities has been released. This prize goes to writers from the British Commonwealth and Ireland, and most of the titles on the list apparently aren’t available in the U.S. yet. (Just as well for me, since I still have last year’s winner, The Finkler Question by Howard Jacobson, on my TBR list)
A few familiar authors are on the list — Julian Barnes (English), Sebastian Barry (Irish), Alan Hollinghurst (English) — but also four first-time novelists, according to the official press release, and several others unfamiliar to me.
A U.K. blog, The Omnivore, has posted a criticism roundup, with links to current reviews of all the longlisted titles.
If you’re behind like me, and looking to catch up on past winners, check out the perpetual challenge at The Complete Booker, where bloggers sign on to read all winners of the Man Booker Prize (over 40 so far).
And nomadreader has posted the best update for U.S. readers about the 2011 Man Booker Prize longlist that I’ve seen so far: The 2011 Booker Dozen: A U.S. Reader’s Guide.