Due West

‘The Man Booker Prize promotes the finest in fiction by rewarding the very best book of the year. The prize is the world’s most important literary award and has the power to transform the fortunes of authors and even publishers….’ – (MPB) The book commentariat fall over themselves every year in anticipation of this highly feted award.

That being the case, this prestigious award also attracts attention from a rather different sort – The Bookie. Those who inhabit the world of online betting may recall the various UK bookmakers were gushing over Irish novelist Sebastian Barry. But alas, the favorite of the gambling set was not carried by the odds. Instead, debutant Indian novelist Aravind Adiga was chosen yesterday at London‘s Guildhall. His book, The White Tiger: A Novel ‘was described as a compelling, angry and darkly humorous novel about a man’s journey from Indian village life to entrepreneurial success. One reviewer described it as an ‘unadorned portrait of India seen from the bottom of the heap’ – (Julia May – India News)

The bookies may have missed the mark this year, but one has to admire their pluck. How else to describe those who attempt so difficult a task as choosing the best of the best.

The Man Booker Prize 2008 – Shortlist:

Sebastian Barry – ‘The Secret Scripture‘

Amitov Gosh – Sea of Poppies

Linda Grant – The Clothes on Their Backs

Philip Hensher – The Northern Clemency

Steve Toltz – A Fraction of the Whole