Kevin Barry longlisted for Booker Prize: Rubberbandits, Nadine O'Regan and more react

The longlist for the Man Booker Prize 2019 was announced earlier today, with Limerick author Kevin Barry included among the 13 titles.

Through his highly original novels, short story collections and plays, Barry has earned a reputation as one of the country's most talented writers in recent years. His latest novel, Night Boat To Tangier, tells the story of two Irish gangsters, reflecting on their past lives as they wait for a boat in a Spanish ferry terminal.

The longlist also includes past winners Margaret Atwood and Salman Rushdie, as well as Lucy Ellman, Oyinkan Braithwaite, Bernandine Evaristo, John Lanchester, Deborah Levy, Valeria Luiselli, Chicozie Obioma, Max Porter, Janette Winterson and Elif Shafak.

A number of prominent Irish figures have celebrated Barry's news, including the Rubberbandits, who reacted with typical good humour and Limerick pride:

Internally shouting “gwan Kevin Barry, gwan fucking Limerick,” upon hearing that he’s been shortlisted for the booker prize

— The Blindboy Podcast (@Rubberbandits) July 24, 2019

Broadcast and writer Nadine O'Regan also responded to Barry's inclusion on the longlist with "his beautiful new book":

Delighted to see that Kevin Barry has made the #BookerPrize2019 longlist for his beautiful new book Night Boat to Tangier. We’ve created a podcast for @MyRootsAreShow which will be with you soon, recorded with thanks to the mighty @wcorklitfest. ❤️📚 pic.twitter.com/z06atL0aFx

— Nadine O'Regan (@NadineORegan) July 24, 2019

Night Boat To Tangier's publisher, Canongate, were "giddy about this dark treasure of a book being on @TheBookerPrizes longlist", and offered a "huge congratulations" to Barry:

Still giddy about this dark treasure of a book being on @TheBookerPrizes longlist! Huge congratulations to Kevin Barry.

‘A blackly comic journey into the abyss’ Guardian
‘A masterpiece delivered by a glittering talent at the peak of his powers’ Big Issue pic.twitter.com/euycHBm35Q

— Canongate (@canongatebooks) July 24, 2019

A number of Irish literary festivals also wished Barry well, with the Dalkey Book Festival noting that "No one writes tragi-comedy dialogue quite like this genius":

Congratulations Kevin Barry @canongatebooks on being longlisted for @TheBookerPrizes No one writes tragi-comedy dialogue quite like this genius. Brilliant news! https://t.co/isS7yUP96U

— Dalkey Book Festival (@dalkeybookfest) July 24, 2019

The West Cork Literary Festival also called the book "a joy":

It feels like ages since we were hanging out with Booker Prize-nominated writer Kevin Barry in the heady days of mid July. #NightBoatToTangier is a joy and we're so excited that Kevin is on the @TheBookerPrizes longlist pic.twitter.com/qyVv8fRFxd

— West Cork Literary Festival (@wcorklitfest) July 24, 2019

Meanwhile, Hot Press's Stuart Clark, who recently interviewed the Limerick author, reckons Barry's got a good chance of taking home the top prize in October.

https://t.co/kTn45vtdqG For the Booker nominated day that's in it; a recent chinwag with Kevin Barry. I'm off to Paddy Power to stick a tenner on him

— Stuart Clark (@stuartclark66) July 24, 2019

Read Pat Carty's review of Night Boat To Tangier here.