Could Peter Carey possibly become the first author to win the Booker three times? Oscar and Lucinda (1988) and True History of the Kelly Gang (2001) both previously won him the most prestigious and hotly contended literary gong this side of the Atlantic (and south of Stockholm). The judges, led by Andrew Motion, have whittled the long list of 13 down to the final half-dozen, and Carey’s Parrot and Olivier in America is among them.
In order to win he will have to impress the panel more than the five other contenders. Here is the full list:
- Peter Carey: Parrot and Olivier in America
- Emma Donoghue: Room
- Damon Galgut: In a Strange Room
- Howard Jacobson: The Finkler Question
- Andrea Levy: The Long Song
- Tom McCarthy: C
The winner will by chosen by the panel of judges also including Rosie Blau, literary editor of the Financial Times, Deborah Bull, creative director of the Royal Opera House, the journalist, broadcaster and author Tom Sutcliffe and the biographer and critic Frances Wilson. The announcement will be made on Tuesday 12 October and the result broadcast on BBC News. Two days before, you can see all six authors reading and answering questions at the Royal Festival Hall.