Man Booker Shortlist Announced

The shortlist for the 2012 Man Booker Prize has been announced this morning.  The six nominated novels are:

The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng
Swimming Home by Deborah Levy
Bring up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel
The Lighthouse by Alison Moore
Umbrella by Will Self
Narcopolis by Jeet Thayil

I don’t have much knowledge of the books on the list and to be honest only The Garden of Evening Mists and Umbrella in any way appeal to me. I spent three months trying to read Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel, the thought that there’s a sequel sends shivers down my spine. It seems to me that after criticisms that last year’s jury were too focused on popularity (or readability) this year’s judges have deliberately picked novels which are seen as worthy of such a prestigious prize.

The winner of the prize (and the £50,000 cheque) will be announced on 16th October.