An Indian-origin author has been included in the longlist for the 2023 Booker Prize

Indian-origin writer Chetna Maroo's debut novel "Western Lane" makes the Booker Prize 2023 longlist, along with three other compelling debut novels. Explore their captivating stories.

on Aug 03, 2023

An Indian-origin author has been included in the longlist for the 2023 Booker Prize | Frontlist

Chetna Maroo, an Indian-origin writer, has been longlisted for the Booker Prize 2023 for her debut novel "Western Lane". The novel depicts the harsh training regime of a young girl on a squash court. Maroo is one of the four debut novelists to be included in the longlist of 13, which was announced on Monday. The other three debut novels are "All the Little Bird-Hearts" by Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow, which explores the impact of new neighbors on a mother-daughter relationship; "Pearl" by Siân Hughes, which tells the story of a girl's attempt to find solace by illustrating a medieval poem; and "If I Survive You" by Jonathan Escoffery, which follows the struggles of a Jamaican family fleeing political violence to America.

The longlist for the Booker Prize includes several acclaimed authors, such as Tan Twan Eng, Paul Murray, and Sebastian Barry. Eng's novel, The House of Doors, follows a love triangle in high society Malaysia that is complicated by murder. Murray's The Bee Sting is a comedic tale about a family facing a crisis. Meanwhile, Barry's Old God's Time is a detective story about a cop investigating a cold case.

Other noteworthy books on the longlist are Martin MacInnes's In Ascension, which tells the story of a journey of self-discovery across the Atlantic Ocean, and Paul Lynch's Prophet Song, about a scientist navigating a politically crumbling Ireland. Paul Harding's This Other Eden explores issues of racism off the coast of the United States, while Elaine Feeney's How to Build a Boat is about a boy searching for a way to reconnect with his deceased mother.

The longlist also includes Sarah Bernstein's Study for Obedience, a magic-realist tale about a woman who moves to town to care for her heartbroken brother. Finally, Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀'s A Spell of Good Things is a story about two Nigerian families struggling with poverty, violence, and unfulfilled childhood dreams.

The longlist includes representation from seven countries (Malaysia, Nigeria, Jamaica, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Ireland) across four continents.

The longlist for the Booker Prize consists of entries from seven different countries spanning four continents: Malaysia, Nigeria, Jamaica, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Ireland. The list covers a wide range of themes, including personal struggles, family sagas, climate change, societal oppression, scientific discoveries, and sports. The shortlisted candidates, to be revealed on September 21, will each receive a prize of £2,500. The overall winner, who will be announced on November 26, will receive a grand prize of £50,000.