It’s here! It’s here! Not that we are excited about this or anything, but the judges of the 2018 Man Booker Prize released their long list this week, and we are all a-twitter with excitement, not only because the Man Book adds so much to our “To Be Read” lists around here, but also because this year, a graphic novel made the long list! This is also the first year that novels published in Ireland are eligible for the prize, following a change in rules announced at the start of 2018 that recognised the special relationship between the UK and Irish publishing markets.
This year’s longlist of 13 books was selected by a panel of five judges: by the philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah (Chair); crime writer Val McDermid; cultural critic Leo Robson; feminist writer and critic Jacqueline Rose; and artist and graphic novelist Leanne Shapton. Their choice was not an easy one–this year saw some 171 submissions to the prize panel, representing the highest number of titles put forward in the prize’s 50 year history.
According the chair of the 2018 judges, Kwame Anthony Appiah:
“Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the times, there were many dystopian fictions on our bookshelf – and many novels we found inspirational as well as disturbing…All of these books – which take in slavery, ecology, missing persons, inner-city violence, young love, prisons, trauma, race – capture something about a world on the brink. Among their many remarkable qualities is a willingness to take risks with form. And we were struck, overall, by their disruptive power: these novels disrupted the way we thought about things we knew about, and made us think about things we didn’t know about. Still, despite what they have in common, every one of these books is wildly distinctive. It’s been an exhilarating journey so far and we’re looking forward to reading them again. But now we’ll have thousands and thousands of people reading along with us.”
So let’s take a look at the list. As ever, where the books are available in NOBLE, or not (yet) available in the US, we have done our best to provide a point of access for you, or the expected publication date. Let us know if you need assistance accessing these (or any other) titles!
2018 Man Booker Long List, featuring titles, author, and author’s nationality.
Milkman by Anna Burns (UK) This title will be released in the US on December 4, 2018
Sabrina by Nick Drnaso (USA) <– Graphic Novel!
Washington Black by Esi Edugyan (Canada)
In Our Mad And Furious City by Guy Gunaratne (UK) Please speak to a staff member if you wish to access this title.
Everything Under by Daisy Johnson (UK) This title will be released on January 15, 2019
The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner (USA)
The Water Cure by Sophie Mackintosh (UK) Please speak to a staff member if you wish to access this title.
Warlight by Michael Ondaatje (Canada)
The Overstory by Richard Powers (USA)
The Long Take by Robin Robertson (UK) Please speak to a staff member if you wish to access this title.
Normal People by Sally Rooney (Ireland) This title will be released on April 16, 2019
From A Low And Quiet Sea by Donal Ryan (Ireland)
Congratulations to all the long-listed books and authors! On September 20, the judges will be announcing the short list of nominees, and the 2018 Man Booker Prize will be awarded on Tuesday, October 16. Check back here for all the details!