The MAN Booker prize has been called a fiasco this year. Their shortlist was mostly made out of past winners are well-established writers. John Le Carre asked to be pulled from it, because he wanted a writer who needed exposure to win. Then they rewarded Philip Roth who couldn't care less about it, prompting a member of the board to quit.
What's your take on this?
Personally, I think the Booker is getting to be somewhat of a joke. To me, literary awards (except for the Nobel) are supposed to be shedding light on authors that need and deserve it. The Pulitzer has it right. For the last four years, they rewarded Junot Diaz, Paul Harding and Jennifer Egan, three writers who benefited it greatly. The only established writers they rewarded during that period was Cormac McCarthy with THE ROAD, who deserved to win that year, according to most.
What's your take on this?
Personally, I think the Booker is getting to be somewhat of a joke. To me, literary awards (except for the Nobel) are supposed to be shedding light on authors that need and deserve it. The Pulitzer has it right. For the last four years, they rewarded Junot Diaz, Paul Harding and Jennifer Egan, three writers who benefited it greatly. The only established writers they rewarded during that period was Cormac McCarthy with THE ROAD, who deserved to win that year, according to most.