It is intended to “invoke his memory to support the writers of today and nurture the talents of tomorrow”. “I’m not sure at what point I will flip around and say that first and foremost I’m a writer, rather than a nurse. Chair of the judges Dai Smith said this year’s longlist was the strongest the prize had ever had. “What’s really hit us over the last couple of years, and particularly this year, is the international dimension of it. I’m just here in my traveler’s clothes, trying on each passing town for size.”“The longlist is a starburst of young literary talent,” said Smith.

Source: The Guardian January 31, 2019 13:30 UTC