The six books shortlisted for the prestigious 2021 Booker Prize for fiction explore themes including racism, injustice, freedom and constraints on women’s lives. The judges announced a longlist of 13 books in July, chosen from 158 novels published in the UK or Ireland. (The Booker Prize/PA)The shortlist, announced at a digital press conference on Tuesday, was chosen by judges including historian and panel chairwoman Maya Jasanoff and former archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. Asked what conclusions can be drawn about the state of British writing, given only one British writer was shortlisted, judge Chigozie Obioma added: “For me, I think the Booker Prize is the great leveller. (The Booker Prize/PA)“But while judging the Booker Prize we look at not just what the writers are saying, but how they are saying it, and therefore nationalities do not really matter.

Source: Irish Examiner September 14, 2021 15:33 UTC