Booker Prize

Introduction: 

The Booker Prize, established in 1969, is one of the most prestigious literary awards in the world. It is awarded annually to a work of fiction written in English and published in the United Kingdom. Over the years, the Booker Prize has celebrated exceptional literary talent, recognizing outstanding novels that captivate readers and push the boundaries of storytelling. The list of Booker Prize winners is a testament to the diverse voices and compelling narratives that have shaped the landscape of English literature. Here's an table of the Booker Prize winners:

1969: Something to Answer For – P.H. Newby

1970: The Elected Member – Bernice Rubens

1971: In a Free State – V.S. Naipaul

1972: G. – John Berger

1973: The Siege of Krishnapur – J.G. Farrell

1974: The Conservationist – Nadine Gordimer & Holiday – Stanley Middleton

1975: Heat and Dust – Ruth Prawer Jhabvala

1976: Saville – David Storey

1977: Staying On – Paul Scott

1978: The Sea, the Sea – Iris Murdoch

1979: Offshore – Penelope Fitzgerald

1980: Rites of Passage – William Golding

1981: Midnight's Children – Salman Rushdie

1982: Schindler's Ark – Thomas Keneally

1983: Life & Times of Michael K – J.M. Coetzee

1984: Hotel du Lac – Anita Brookner

1985: The Bone People – Keri Hulme

1986: The Old Devils – Kingsley Amis

1987: Moon Tiger – Penelope Lively

1988: Oscar and Lucinda – Peter Carey

1989: The Remains of the Day – Kazuo Ishiguro

1990: Possession – A.S. Byatt

1991: The Famished Road – Ben Okri

1992: The English Patient – Michael Ondaatje & Sacred Hunger – Barry Unsworth

1993: Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha – Roddy Doyle

1994: How Late It Was, How Late – James Kelman

1995: The Ghost Road – Pat Barker

1996: Last Orders – Graham Swift

1997: The God of Small Things – Arundhati Roy

1998: Amsterdam – Ian McEwan

1999: Disgrace – J.M. Coetzee

2000: The Blind Assassin – Margaret Atwood

2001: True History of the Kelly Gang – Peter Carey

2002: Life of Pi – Yann Martel

2003: Vernon God Little – DBC Pierre

2004: The Line of Beauty – Alan Hollinghurst

2005: The Sea – John Banville

2006: The Inheritance of Loss – Kiran Desai

2007: The Gathering – Anne Enright

2008: The White Tiger – Aravind Adiga

2009: Wolf Hall – Hilary Mantel

2010: The Finkler Question – Howard Jacobson

2011: The Sense of an Ending – Julian Barnes

2012: Bring Up the Bodies – Hilary Mantel

2013: The Luminaries – Eleanor Catton

2014: The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Richard Flanagan

2015: A Brief History of Seven Killings – Marlon James

2016: The Sellout – Paul Beatty

2017: Lincoln in the Bardo – George Saunders

2018: Milkman – Anna Burns

2019: Girl, Woman, Other – Bernardine Evaristo & The Testaments – Margaret Atwood

2020: Shuggie Bain – Douglas Stuart

2021: The Promise – Damon Galgut

2022: The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida – Shehan Karunatilaka

2023: Prophet Song – Paul Lynch

2024 Orbital - Samantha Harvey

PYQ:

 1. Which two works of JM Coetzee won Booker Prize on two occasions? 

 I. In the Heart of the Country

 II. Life and Times of Michael K. 

 III. Disgrace

 IV. Waiting for the Barbarians 

 The right combination according to the above code is : 

 (A) II and III 

(B) II and IV

 (C) III and IV 

(D) I and III 

 Answer: - A 

 2. J.M. Coetzee was the first writer to be awarded the Booker Prize twice, he won the prize for

 (A) Life & Times of Michael K. & Disgrace

 (B) Dusklands & Disgrace 

 (C) Foe & Elizabeth Costello 

(D) Age of Iron & Disgrace 

 Answer: A 

 3. Which of the two novels of Anita Desai was shortlisted for the Booker Prize? 

 (A) The Artist of Disappearance & In Custody

 (B) In Custody & Feasting, Fasting 

 (C) Feasting, Fasting & the Zig Zag Way

 (D) In Custody & Fire on the Mountain 

 Answer: B 

 4. The Booker Prize is awarded by a panel of judges to the best novel by a citizen of 

 (A) the United Kingdom

 (B) the British Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland 

 (C) the United Kingdom or the British Commonwealth 

 (D) the United Kingdom or the British Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland 

 Answer: - B 

 5. The literary prize, Booker of Bookers, was awarded to

 (A) J.M. Coetzee 

(B) Nadine Gordimer 

 C) Martin Amis 

(D) Salman Rushdie 

Answer: - D

Conclusion: 

The Booker Prize has played a pivotal role in honoring and promoting the works of remarkable authors in the realm of English literature. From the thought-provoking novels of J.M. Coetzee and the imaginative storytelling of Salman Rushdie to the poignant explorations of Kazuo Ishiguro and the gripping narratives of Margaret Atwood, the Booker Prize winners have left an indelible mark on the literary world. Their works continue to inspire and engage readers, reflecting the power of literature to transcend boundaries and illuminate the human experience. The Booker Prize remains a beacon of literary excellence, elevating the voices of talented authors and enriching the literary landscape for generations to come.