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In the world of the Booker Prizes this week: the best genre-bending Booker-nominated novels, and the best ones set in NYC; the classics behind beloved Booker books; plus, two terrific TV adaptations
10 of the best genre-bending Booker Prize-nominated novels
The beauty of the Booker Prizes is that you never know what kinds of books you’re going to get. Some aren’t content to be merely one thing; their writers prefer to switch between genres, play with forms, and generally turn the reader’s expectations upside down. We’ve picked out some of the most surprising and innovative genre-bending works that have been nominated over the years.
Nine Booker-nominated novels set in New York City
In New York novels, the city often feels like a character as well as a place. Its landmark neighbourhoods, streets and buildings – combined with its heady mix of glitz and grit – add to the atmosphere and shape the course of events. These Booker-nominated and NYC-set novels range from the 1800s, when pigs were still rooting around on Broadway, to the early 21st century and the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.
Eight Booker Prize-nominated novels that were inspired by other books
From Douglas Stuart taking inspiration from his compatriot James Kelman’s use of dialect in How Late It Was, How Late, to Percival Everett reframing Adventures of Huckleberry Finn for a modern readership, enjoy our list of Booker Prize-nominated books that were inspired and influenced by other much-loved works of fiction.
The Narrow Road to the Deep North
We’re loving the book-to-TV adaptation of The Narrow Road to the Deep North at the moment. If you’re also watching, you might like to find out more about Richard Flanagan’s novel, which won the Booker Prize in 2014. Discover the book, the author and his inspirations with our extract, interview and reading guide.
Washington Black
We’re also really enjoying Washington Black on the small screen right now. If you are, too, why not find out more about Esi Edugyan’s original novel, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2018? Discover the book, the author and her inspirations with our extract, interview and reading guide.
Fiction worth talking about
Only four more sleeps until the Booker Prize 2025 longlist is announced at 2pm BST on Tuesday 29 July, on thebookerprizes.com and across our social channels. Ahead of the big reveal, we challenged the judges to describe this year’s submissions in just three words – watch what they had to say in the clip above! You can also head over to our website to find out more about this year’s prize, including a set of exclusive interviews with the judges: Roddy Doyle, Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀, Sarah Jessica Parker, Chris Power and Kiley Reid.
Happy reading, and don’t forget to let us – and fellow readers – know what you think in the comments.