The longlist of nominees for the 2022 Booker Prize included both the youngest and oldest writers ever nominated. The name of the winner and the winner of the prize will not be announced until October 17, in the meantime, we strongly encourage you to read the best book longlist items!
Irish writer and journalist Audrey Magee worked in the media for 12 years. Her place of work included the Times Observer and Guardian magazines. Her first novel “The Undertaking” has been translated into 10 languages. “The Colony” is the author’s second major work. The book tells the story of two wanderers who end up on a small island off the west coast of Ireland. Englishman Mr. Lloyd and Frenchman Mr. Masson want to immortalize the place in their artwork – on paper and on canvas. Meanwhile, the locals think they deserve something for it – not just money.
Selby Wynn Schwartz’s debut work tells the story of a group of feminists, followers of the work of Saphona, painters and writers of bygone years fighting for freedom, justice and the opportunity to stand for their lives. The book, which is a glorification of women, consists of a series of stories in which the main role is played by eminent representatives of past centuries: Sarah Bernhardt, Colette, Eleonora Duse, Lina Poletti, Josephine Baker, Virginia Woolf.
The Zimbabwean writer was already nominated for the Booker Prize in 2013 for her novel “We Need New Names,” and she has again made it to the longlist of nominees with an exceptional piece. “Glory” is a dynamic and moving story about animals that decided to rebel against man. They used to live a carefree and happy life, until colonizers entered their territory. After nearly a century, the liberation struggle brought new hope – a charismatic horse to lead the animals to happiness.
Irish writer Claire Keegan has already had a number of short stories honored with numerous awards and translated into more than 20 languages. “Small Things Like These” is a subtle story of hope and quiet heroism, the triumph of empathy and a damning attitude toward sins committed in the name of religion. The story is set in a small Irish town in the 1980s. A few weeks before Christmas, coal and wood merchant Bill Furlong collides with the problems of his past and the condemning silence of a small church community.
London resident Maddie Mortimer, 26, has followed in the footsteps of her mother and grandfather – she has become a writer and treats her readers to exceptional content. Her latest novel “Maps of Our Spectacular Bodies” is no different, in which the body with all its intricacies and the enigmatic voice coming out of it come to the fore. The novel’s protagonist Lia drifts between the past and the present, trying to find meaning in her life.
main photo: unsplash.com/Florencia Viadana
