Irish authors up for the 2017 Man Booker Prize

Irish authors Sebastian Barry and Mike McCormack have been longlisted for the 2017 Man Booker Prize, the award for the best original novel written in English and published in the UK.

Dubliner Sebastian Barry is nominated for Days Without End, his most recent novel set in 1850’s America. The novel has already received a fantastic reception, with Barry becoming the first ever two-time recipient of the Costa Book of the Year award. Hot Press got the chance to chat with him this summer, learning about the inspiration behind Barry’s gay protagonist, his past as a broke Hot Press reader and his affection for literature festivals.

McCormack also had a year of praise for his newest work, Solar Bones, set in the author’s very own Mayo. The novel is a single 85,000 sentence that reflects on middle-aged public man, Marcus Conway’s life and career. McCormack sat down with Hot Press’ own Olaf Tyaransen this June to discuss his ups and downs as a writer and the unfortunate disappearance of his first £2,500 advance for debut Getting It In The Head.

The Arts Council released a statement congratulating the authors on their achievements, saying this:

The Arts Council has extended its warmest congratulations to writers Mike McCormack and Sebastian Barry who have been longlisted for the prestigious Man Booker prize.

Mike McCormack was included for his novel Solar Bones, described by the judges as being 'innovative without being quaint’. Solar Bones has already won the Goldsmiths Prize and BGE Irish Book of the Year Award in 2016. In 2015, McCormack received an Arts Council literature bursary to complete the book, which was published by independent Irish publisher Tramp Press.

Sebastian Barry was selected for his novel Days Without End described as ‘a tour de force of narrative voice’ by the judges. Barry’s novel has already been awarded the Costa Book of the Year Award in 2016.

Arts Council Director Orlaith McBride said: “it is wonderful to see these works recognised by the Booker judges. The nominations reflect the strength of contemporary Irish literature and highlight its extraordinary international reputation. The Council also offers its congratulations to McCormack’s publisher, Tramp Press, which it has supported in recent years – this brings much deserved recognition to its work in supporting, nurturing and promoting Irish writers. These nominations also underscore the importance of supporting writers and writing in Ireland.

The shortlist of six authors will come out on September 13, and the winner will be announced on October 17. In the meantime, catch up on Hot Press’ interviews with the two prominent Irish authors.

The 2017 Man Booker Prize Longlist:
Paul Auster (US) 4 3 2 1

Sebastian Barry (Ireland) Days Without End

Emily Fridlund (US) History of Wolves

Mohsin Hamid (Pakistan) Exit West

Mike McCormack (Ireland) Solar Bones

Jon McGregor (UK) Reservoir 13

Fiona Mozley (UK) Elmet

Arundhati Roy (India) The Ministry of Utmost Happiness

George Saunders (US) Lincoln in the Bardo

Kamila Shamsie (UK-Pakistan) Home Fire

Ali Smith (UK) Autumn

Zadie Smith (UK) Swing Time

Colson Whitehead (US) The Underground Railroad