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.