"With its reputation for stuffiness and elitism, the Booker prize may seem unsuited to the age of social media. Back in the 1980s, when writers' spats and affairs made headlines, the winning ceremony was televised by the BBC. It was the book world's Oscars. Today, the idea of tuning in to watch the dinner-suited literati tuck into supper in London's oak-panelled Guildhall seems preposterous."
"But West would surely have approved of this year's rich and remarkably varied shortlist, which includes The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by the former Booker winner Kiran Desai, Flesh by David Szalay, The Land in Winter by Andrew Miller (both previous shortlistees), The Rest of Our Lives by Ben Markovits, Flashlight by Susan Choi and Audition by Katie Kitamura."
The Booker prize carries a reputation for stuffiness and elitism but still faces pressure to engage social-media readers and wider audiences. Historical ceremonies were televised and treated like the book world's Oscars, yet contemporary readers expect participation rather than passive instruction. The organisers livestreamed shortlist announcements and added behind-the-scenes chat while retaining confidential judging. The shortlist features established writers including previous winners and shortlistees; there are no debuts. A new prize in memory of Hilary Mantel will support first-time writers, and a recently launched award will recognise Bookstagram favourites judged by online community members.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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