Debuts Edge Favorites for Booker Shortlist

Rushdie, O'Neill passed over for top literary award

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 9, 2008 8:12 AM CDT

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Debuts Edge Favorites for Booker Shortlist — Joseph O'Neill, right, whose novel Netherland was the hot favorite for the Booker Prize, did not make the shortlist. (Getty Images (by Event) Individuals)

The jury for the Man Booker Prize announced its shortlist today—and left off the two books most hotly tipped to win the prestigious literary award, reports the Bookseller. Six novels were chosen, including two debuts. But many were surprised by the omission of Salman Rushdie's The Enchantress of Florence, which had the shortest odds, and Joseph O'Neill's Netherland, the bestseller about post-9/11 New York that has won rave reviews.

The six novels nominated for the prize are:

Aravind Adiga, The White Tiger
Sebastian Barry, The Secret Scripture
Amitav Ghosh, Sea of Poppies
Linda Grant, The Clothes on Their Backs
Philip Hensher, The Northern Clemency
Steve Toltz, A Fraction of the Whole

The winner will be announced on Oct. 14. (More literature stories.)

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