BOOKER PRIZE

Why in the News ?

  • Paul Lynch, an Irish author, secured the 2023 Booker Prize for his novel ‘Prophet Song.’
  • The book unfolds the narrative of a family and a nation teetering on the edge of disaster, portraying an imaginary Irish government drifting towards tyranny.

The Booker Prize 

  • The Booker Prize, formally known as the Man Booker Prize, is one of the most prestigious literary awards in the world.
  • It is awarded annually to a novel written in the English language.

Foundation and Evolution

  • Established in 1968, the prize was initially limited to Commonwealth, Irish, and Zimbabwean authors.
  • In 2013, eligibility expanded to include writers from any nationality writing in English, widening its global impact.

Recognition Categories

  • The main Booker Prize recognizes the best original novel written in English.
  • The International Booker Prize specifically honours translated works of fiction.

Indian Writers and the Booker Prize

  • Salman Rushdie: In 1981, Salman Rushdie became the first Indian writer to win the Booker Prize for his novel “Midnight’s Children.”
  • Arundhati Roy: In 1997, Arundhati Roy won the Booker Prize for her novel “The God of Small Things.”
  • Kiran Desai: In 2006, Kiran Desai won the Booker Prize for her novel “The Inheritance of Loss.”
  • Aravind Adiga: In 2008, Aravind Adiga won the Booker Prize for his novel “The White Tiger.” The novel is a satirical look at India’s economic disparities and the rise of globalization.
  • Geetanjali Shree: In 2022, won the Booker Prize for her Novel “Tomb of Sand”.

India’s rich literary tradition continues to flourish, and Indian writers continue to make their mark on the global literary landscape.