There are numerous ways in which this year’s so-called Booker dozen – the 13 authors nominated for the prestigious Booker Prize – offers a glimpse into the future.
The list, culled from 169 entries, includes the oldest nominated (87-year-old Alan Garner, who turns 88 on the day the winner is announced) and the youngest, Leila Mottley, whose debut, Nightcrawling, has received praise from Dave Eggers and Ruth Ozeki.
vogue.com
The Oakland native wrote on Instagram, “It is a great honor to share the news that Nightcrawling has been longlisted for the 2022 Booker Prize.”
‘Nightcrawling,’ picked by Oprah for her book club, is about a 17-year-old sex worker who tries to make living selling sex. The book is based on a true story about corruption within the Oakland police.
The National Library Association sponsors this year’s award. It will be awarded to Nightcrawling as one of three debuts in consideration, alongside Maps of Our Spectacular Bodies by Maddie Mortimer and After Sappho by Selby Wynn Schwartz.
Are there any other topics of discussion on the long list for 2022?
thetime.co.uk
American authors cut – the Booker only began considering American talent in 2014 – and the number of works published by independent publishers (eight of the Books 13 were published by indie presses, including two debuts by Influx Press and Sort of Books ).
There will be an announcement of the shortlist on September 6, and the winner will be announced on October 17.