The Man Booker Prize 2017 will be announced this evening (roughly 22:00 GMT, in my memory). Ever since the shortlist announcement I’ve felt that George Saunders is a shoo-in for Lincoln in the Bardo. I think he will win, and should. However, I’ve still only read four out of the six on the shortlist, so my predictions are not entirely based on personal knowledge of the books. I can’t say I’m hugely enthused about trying Auster or Hamid, but I’d be more likely to do so if either won.
The two from the shortlist that I own + the annual bookmark, picked up from the public library.
Here, in what I predict is their descending order of likelihood to win, are the six shortlisted titles, with a pithy three words on why each one would take the prize:
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders – Something actually novel.
Exit West by Mohsin Hamid – Timely re: refugees.
Autumn by Ali Smith – Timely re: Brexit.
4 3 2 1 by Paul Auster – Great American Novel.
Elmet by Fiona Mozley – Gorgeous, talented debut.
History of Wolves by Emily Fridlund – Haunting, underrated debut.
Bookish Beck = Rebecca Foster. American transplant to England. Freelance proofreader and book reviewer.
Bookish Beck 
I’ve only read one – Exit West. It did nothing for me but might be a timely choice.
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That’s why I think it’s fairly likely to win. I’ve read such mixed reports about it, though.
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I really loved the Hamid but I think Saunders will win. I loved it too.
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I dont think Auster will win. Other than that my crystal ball has proved very reluctant to provide insights
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I looked at the paperback in the library yesterday: 1070 pages! Who has the time?! I’d rather read 3-4 books by authors I already know and love than try out Auster with that one.
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The biggest criticism I’ve seen is that it is essentially the same story told four times
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Good call! I wanted Ali Smith to win…
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Thanks! I was definitely feeling smug last night 😉
I’m one of the few, it seems, in that I wasn’t a fan of Autumn and won’t be reading the rest of the seasons series. I’d rather go back and catch up on her older books.
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YAY for George Saunders winning! He was my fave too, though I liked Ali Smith a LOT and thought she’d have been worthy too.
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I feel bad for her being a Booker bridesmaid. One of these years, surely.
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You called it! I like reading your predictions (even when I haven’t read any of the books), and I like that you include a short reason why you think they might be chosen.
I’m most interested in Lincoln, Elmet, and History of Wolves.
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All well worth reading.
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Didn’t you do well? Congratulations! You’ll be on the panel next year……
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Ha ha, thank you! Yes, that would be the dream. For now shadow panels are about my speed, but I think there is scope for a freelance reviewer/blogger to one day be on an official prize panel — the precedent has now been set with Costa choosing Simon Savidge to be a judge.
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