Booker season is officially upon us. With the longlist being announced on 8/1, I decided to try my hand at predicting this year’s possible selections. As a reminder, eligible books were published in the UK and Ireland between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2023. After reviewing eligible books and information about the panel of judges, I narrowed my own Booker 13 longlist prediction. It’s heavy on repeat authors because Booker does like a repeat.
- DEMON COPPERHEAD – Barbara Kingsolver
This is a no-brainer. It’s already won the Pulitzer and the Women’s Prize for Fiction. I’ve read and absolutely loved it. One of my favorite books. Ever.
2. VICTORY CITY – Salman Rushdie
Also a bit of a no-brainer as Rushdie is a Booker darling. He’s been nominated 7 times, and won for MIDNIGHT’S CHILDREN, which also won The Booker of Bookers in 1994 and the Best of the Booker in 2008.
3. THE WREN, THE WREN – Anne Enright
2007 winner and longlisted in 2015
4. BIRNAM WOOD – Eleanor Catton
2013 winner
5. THE EAST INDIAN – Brinda Charry
I loved this novel. The nod to Shakespeare and giving a voice to the first Indian to arrive in Colonial America makes me think this stands a chance.
6. THE NEW LIFE – Tom Crewe
Debut novel. Historical fiction, 1890s London. Oozes Booker type. I’ve read it.
7. CHAIN-GANG ALL-STARS – Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Debut novel. This biting look at the penal system is a strong contender I enjoyed this book quite a bit, and I think this panel will.
8. THE COVENANT OF WATER – Abraham Verghese
This book is just an exquisite example of storytelling. It’s well-deserving.
9. THE MEMORY OF ANIMALS – Claire Fuller
While she’s not been longlisted for the Booker Prize, Fuller is no stranger to the awards. And this is one unexpected and beautiful pandemic novel.
10. WANDERING SOULS – Cecile Pin
Debut. Long-listed for the Women’s Prize. Very bookery. (I read it and loved it.)
11. RIVER SING ME HOME – Eleanor Shearer
Debut. Very bookery. On my TBR.
12. THE MANIAC – Benjamin Labatut
Shortlisted for the International Booker Prize in 2021. Seems bookery.
13. LOSING THE PLOT – Derek Owusu
Just a feeling.
Honorable mentions on my prediction list
THE FRAUD – Zadie Smith
SOLDIER SAILOR – Claire Kilroy
THE PASSENGER – Cormac McCarthy
THE HOUSE OF DOORS – Tan Twan Eng (not sure if he’s eligible because he was a judge for the International Prize, so I’m leaving him here)
A Girl Named Tommi 