No image strikes greater fear into me than the yearly publicity shot of the Booker longlist. Thirteen books standing upright and huddled together, some fat, some thin, gazing into my soul like I’m witness to a criminal line-up. There’s the don, Hilary Mantel, an obvious inclusion but surely her win would be the most boring possible conclusion. Anne Tyler, war-beaten like a trireme, appears on a purely honourary basis, the concept of literary awards surely an insult to her living legend status. It is impossible, too, to ignore the sheer amount of unfamiliar names on this year’s longlist.

Source: The Irish Times September 13, 2020 04:52 UTC