Booker Prize open to all - thoughts?

12 years ago

Well, not quite open to all - but as Vee pointed out on the shortlist thread, it is now open to any book published in English in the UK - which means - shock! horror! - that Americans can enter!

I'm not at all sure what I think about this. It seems to change the whole sort of "feel" of the Booker - the English and Commonwealth has a sort of homely feel about it - but yet, isn't that just a bit insular? On the other hand, how seriously do the Yanks take the Booker, compared to, say, the Pulitzer?

My first reaction was "How are the judges ever going to read all the books?" But it seems that the Booker Foundation has also changed the criteria for entering books; so the judges will have about as many books as they do at the moment. But doesn't that mean the range will be more limited?

Thoughts?

Here is a link that might be useful: Even Americans can enter...!

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Comments (8)

annpan
12 years ago
I notice that Howard Jacobson is against the idea.
I am now going to display sheer bluddy-mindedness by saying that I think it is a good scheme with merit.
I cannot stand that man! He comes over as such a pretentious snob!
kathleen_se
12 years ago
I like the Booker Prize because it brings forward books that as an American I might not hear about. So, selfishly for me, I'd prefer it remains as is. While I'm not incredibly old (OK, late 50s) I am getting annoyed that everything is becoming globalized.
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yoyobon_gw
12 years ago
Here is an exerpt from the official Booker Man site:

"The prize, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2008 after launching in 1969, aims to promote the finest in fiction by rewarding the best novel of the year written by a citizen of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland."

Okay.........WHY change the whole premise?

I understand the " every kid is equal and every one has to get a trophy" epidemic that seems to be sweeping our country ...but let's leave some things alone.
bookmom41
12 years ago
The US already has the Pulitzer and the National Book awards. I agree with Kathleen--the Booker brings to our attention books which otherwise may not get noticed here. Also, I think "Yanks" who read and follow literature prizes take the Booker as seriously as any other prize; certainly some will be disappointed that the Booker seems to be changing what made it unique.
kkay_md
12 years ago
I am a Yank and prefer that the Booker retain its niche and flavor; it is a prestigious prize on the order of the Pulitzer and the National Book Awards (in my thinking) and I don't want to see it watered down or altered. I don't understand the trend towards free-for-all.
bookmom41
12 years ago
My other thought is that by expanding the parameters of eligibility for entrants, the end result will be the duplication of books in the running for the various prizes...I guess I should say the duplication will increase, since it already occurs. Jhumpa Lahiri's The Lowland is on the Booker and the National Book lists; bet it shows up on the Women's Prize next.
woodnymph2_gw
12 years ago
I completely agree with Kathleen. Keep it the way it is. Why must everything be globalized?
martin_z
Original Author
12 years ago
The more I think about it, the more I think I agree with most of you. Though Kazuo Ishiguro (whom I have a lot of time for) is broadly in favour.

On the other hand, as AnnPan said - if Howard Jacobson is against it, the idea must have some merit :)

At least it's still going to keep it's Englishness - the books have to be published in England. So I can keep collecting my UK first editions of the shortlist.

Booker Prize open to all - thoughts?

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Booker Prize open to all - thoughts?

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