Judges for this year’s Booker Prize disclosed the list of shortlisted novels on Tuesday, saying the final selection followed a spirited and closely fought deliberation they described as a "tussle".
The shortlist includes previous Booker winners Marlon James and Douglas Stuart, marking a rare return to contention for authors who have previously taken the award. Their presence on the list underscores the continued prominence of established voices alongside newer entrants to the prize.
The Booker Prize is widely regarded as one of the leading international awards for fiction written in English. Being named on the shortlist typically generates heightened attention from readers, reviewers and booksellers, and can significantly raise the profile of the nominated works and their authors.
Judges said the choice reflected vigorous debate as they weighed the merits of a diverse set of novels. The shortlist now moves forward to the final stage, where a smaller panel will determine the single winner to be announced at a later date.