This blog contains the complete history of the Man Booker Prize. So, if you are interested in knowing more about the Man Booker Prize, then we recommend reading this blog. Read below to know more details.
The Man Booker Prize is a popular and one of the most unique literary prizes in the world. This prize is given to honour the finest novel written, which is published in the United Kingdom, written in English, and has also gained global recognition from readers. But the more questions about this prize are yet to be answered, which led us to this guide.
Here we have answered some common questions about the Man Booker Prize with the help of a complete history of the Man Booker Prize. Make sure to read the blog completely for the full facts.
Man Booker Prize
The first Man Booker Prize was awarded in 1969, as an annual literary award given to the best original work published in the United Kingdom and written in English. Before, this award was simply known as the Booker Prize, sponsored by the Booker Group. Later, Man Group sponsored the same, and so it was called the Man Booker Prize.
Purpose of Origin & Evolution
The purpose of founding such a prize was to improve literary excellence and promote mass reading. With the help of this prize, both rising and established authors were getting a chance to get promoted. It also brought excellence in fiction. By expanding its influence and scope, the Man Booker Prize has undergone many changes since 1969.
Early Stage and First Awards
The first Man Booker Prize was awarded in 1969 to the novel Something to Answer For, which was written by P.H. Newby. It was the first year, and authors from the Commonwealth, including Ireland and Zimbabwe, participated in the award. Later, more diverse writing categories were included, reducing the limitations in the award. It was only in the year 2014, when for the first time the prize changed the condition for the eligible novel, as published in the United Kingdom and written in English. This change faced both criticism and appreciation from the readers, as now countries other than the United States can also dominate the prize.
Importance in the Literary World
In today’s world, knowing the complete history of the Man Booker Prize is important for writers, authors, and every other individual associated with this category. The Man Booker Prize has established a standard for English novels; it has also influenced the reading habits of many. The influence of this prize can also be seen in the publication decisions, while the perceptions of English language literature have also been changed around the world. Today, winning Mna Booker Prize brings global recognition to both the book and the writer. Fresh voices get highlighted, new genres get opened, and cross-cultural literature gets shared with the help of this award. It ensures to consider as much as novels and writings as possible and choose the best among them, every year.
International Booker Prize
The International Booker Prize was formed and promoted after the Man Booker Prize, which honours authors and writers from all over the world who have contributed to literature through creativity. The difference between the two prizes is that the International Booker Prize also opens an opportunity for translators. It is not limited to the awards of authors, but also includes translators, and recognises their effort to translate works into English.
Past Winners
The Manbooker Prize has honoured many books and writers, that left an indelible mark on the field of literature. Here is the list of some past winners of this award:
- 2018: Milkman by Anna Burns
- 2019: The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
- 2020: Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart
- 2021: The Promise by Damon Galgut
- 2022: The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatialka
- 2023: Prophet Song by Paul Lynch
Controversial Winners
When something has a rich history, it is also often associated with some controversies. Same with the Man Booker Prize, where most of the prize winners were generally acclaimed, but few are controversial. Writers and authors other than the winners disagree with some of the wins. This includes ‘The Finkler Question’, which won the prize in 2010, and ‘The Sellout’ as the winner of 2016. There are different controversies associated with these winning books.
Notable Books
While reading the complete history of the Man Booker Prize, you will get to many notable books. Some books left a mark on literature, while others redefined the genre. Books like Midnight’s Children, written by Salman Rushdie, have won the prize in 1901. Wolf Hall is another book by Hilary Mantel, which won the prize and got global widespread acclaim, influencing many readers.
Mentioning some other books during the complete history of the Man Booker Prize, we have ‘The Blind Assassin’ written by Margaret Atwood in 2000. This was a historical fiction book that established a new genre in the book publishing market. Not only known for winning, but The Blind Assassin has changed the storytelling perspective of author.
Judges
Among a versatile group of literary, the panel of judges is drawn who are responsible for selecting the winner. These groups are of individuals who are specialists in literary or experienced in arts, critis, and academics. The foundation panel remains the same, but the judging panel keeps changing every year. While the role of the judges is associated with evaluating the novels and selecting the best for the nomination. They select the winner based on various criteria like originality, story impact, and writing quality. It is considered whether the book brings new perspectives to the readers and engages them as well. Literary merit is also an important factor considered.
Also, check – 10 Famous Adventure Books
Conclusion
This was our detailed guide on the complete history of the Man Booker Prize.
We hope you have found this guide informative, and we look forward to checking other blogs on our website. What are your views on the Man Booker Prize? Share with us in the comment section. Do check related guides on our website as well.
