2 days Ago By Jerermy Rees
By Jeremy Rees of RNZ Some expected favourites have not made the cut, five of the six novels are by women and all the books are short. James , the retelling of the story of Huckleberry Finn from the point of view of Jim the slave, and a spy novel about eco-anarchists are probably the frontrunners for the Booker Prize after the judges announced an unusual and surprising shortlist. For the first time in its 55 years, the award has five of its six shortlisted books written by women.
It is now five years since a female novelist won the Booker despite one of the judges, Sara Collins, saying much publishing is dominated by women. The shortlist, announced on Tuesday morning, could also be one of the most entertaining for some years..
