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The 2008 Man Booker Prize long list was announced in London at the end of July. Of the 13 names, two were Australian – but two others expected to make the list were no-where to be seen.
Michelle de Kretser ('The Lost Dog') and debut novelist Steve Toltz with his 'A Fraction of the Whole' made the final list – but Tim Winton ('Breath') and Helen Garner ('The Spare Room'), widely expected to have strong chances to make the final selection of five, were overlooked.
Michelle de Kretser's novel 'The Lost Dog' was awarded, in the NSW Premier's Literary Awards of 2008, best new fiction and overall book of the year (in spite of being based in Melbourne!). Described by The Age newspaper as 'a wonderfully written novel that is often funny', it is Michelle's third novel and her first Man Booker Prize shortlist.
Feted as a talent to watch before 'A Fraction of the Whole' was even published, Steve Toltz's sprawling, chaotic debut novel has ushered in a fresh new voice in Australian writing. 'Toltz's invention is as breathtaking as the speed of his narrative…' claimed the Chicago Sun Times.
Interestingly, both Toltz and de Kretser were named in May in the top 21 stars of the future by the enormously influential Peter Florence at the Hay Festival in the UK, celebrating its 21st birthday. He is renowned for picking Booker winners – 'I am putting my money on [the 21] having incredible impact and serious careers for at least the next 20 years.'
The early favourite for the Man Booker Prize is Salman Rushdie and his latest book, 'The Enchantress of Florence', followed closely (according to the bookies) by Joseph O'Neill and 'Netherland'. Rushdie earlier this year won the 'Booker of the Booker' – his 1981 novel 'Midnight's Children' being voted as the greatest Booker Prize winner in the 40 years of the prize. It is his fifth Booker shortlist. Irish-born, New York-based Joseph O'Neill receives his first shortlist for his third book of fiction.
| Aravind Adiga |
The White Tiger |
| Gaynor Arnold |
Girl in a Blue Dress |
| Sebastian Barry |
The Secret Scripture |
| John Berger |
From A to X |
| Michelle de Kretser |
The Lost Dog |
| Amitav Ghosh |
Sea of Poppies |
| Linda Grant |
The Clothes on Their Backs |
| Mohammed Hanif |
A Case of Exploding Mangoes |
| Philip Hensher |
The Northern Clemency |
| Joseph O'Neill |
Netherland |
| Salman Rushdie |
The Enchantress of Florence |
| Tom Rob Smith |
Child 44 |
| Steve Toltz |
A Fraction of the Whole |
The shortlist of five will be announced in September, with the overall Man Booker Prize 2008 winner announced in October.
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