Booker Prize

Booker Prize

The Booker Prize is one of the most prestigious literary awards in the world. Established in 1969 as the “Booker Prize for Fiction,” it is awarded annually to the best original novel written in English and published in the United Kingdom or Ireland. The winner receives £50,000 along with immense international recognition, which often leads to a significant boost in book sales and global readership.

Origin and Evolution

The prize was first sponsored by Booker, McConnell Ltd, and the inaugural award ceremony was held in London in 1969. The first winner was P. H. Newby for his novel Something to Answer For. Over the years, the prize gained a strong reputation in British cultural life and became a global literary benchmark.

In 2002, the administration of the prize shifted to the Booker Prize Foundation, and the investment company Man Group became its title sponsor, renaming it the “Man Booker Prize.” In 2019, the prize returned to its original name, the Booker Prize. The prize money, which started at £5,000, gradually increased to £50,000, making it one of the richest literary awards in the world.

Changes in Eligibility

Initially, the award was limited to writers from Commonwealth countries, Ireland, South Africa, and later Zimbabwe. However, in 2014, the rules were revised to include any novel written in English and published in the UK or Ireland. This change generated debate but also expanded the award’s global scope and diversity.

Selection Process

Each year, a five-member panel of judges; comprising authors, journalists, publishers, artists, and public figures; is appointed by the Booker Prize Foundation. The judges evaluate submissions and prepare a longlist and shortlist before selecting the final winner. Being shortlisted itself is considered a major achievement in the literary world.

Sister Awards

The International Booker Prize, introduced later, recognizes translated works of fiction published in English. Unlike the main prize, short story collections are also eligible. The £50,000 award is equally divided between the author and the translator. Additionally, the Children’s Booker Prize was launched in 2025, further expanding the foundation’s commitment to literature.

Recent Winners (2020–2025)

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the award ceremony was held as a livestream from the Roundhouse. The winner was Douglas Stuart for his debut novel Shuggie Bain, which had previously been rejected by more than 30 publishers.

In 2021, the ceremony remained small-scale due to pandemic restrictions. Damon Galgut won the prize for The Promise. The 2022 ceremony at the Roundhouse was hosted by Sophie Duker and featured a keynote speech by Dua Lipa. The award was won by Shehan Karunatilaka for The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida.

In 2023, the shortlist notably included three writers named Paul. Paul Lynch won for his novel Prophet Song. Critical reactions were mixed, with newspapers such as The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph offering contrasting views.

The 2024 prize went to Samantha Harvey for Orbital, the first space-set novel to win the award and one of the shortest winners in its history. She became the first woman to win the prize since 2019. In 2025, David Szalay won for his novel Flesh.

Judging Process

Each year, a panel of five judges is appointed by the Booker Prize Foundation. Since 2015, the chief executive Gaby Wood has overseen the selection of judges in consultation with publishing industry advisors.

Judges are required to read all submitted books; 163 titles in 2023 alone; before selecting a longlist (the “Booker Dozen”), then a shortlist of six, and finally the winner after multiple readings.

The judging process has often sparked debate. The Guardian even introduced the “Not the Booker Prize,” allowing readers to vote. Writers like Amit Chaudhuri and Julian Barnes have publicly commented on the prize’s selection methods, sometimes humorously criticizing its subjectivity.

Award Ceremony

Traditionally held at London’s Guildhall in a formal black-tie event, the ceremony moved online during the pandemic. It later returned to in-person venues such as the Roundhouse and Old Billingsgate, reflecting a more modern and inclusive celebration of literature. Today, the Booker Prize continues to shape global English-language fiction and remains one of the most influential literary honors worldwide.

Booker Prize Winners (1969–2025)