The 2026 Booker Prize longlist has been announced, featuring previous winners Douglas Stuart and Marlon James alongside three-time nominee Elizabeth Strout. This year’s selection of 13 novels rewards risk and spans seven nationalities, with nearly half from the UK. Ten authors debut on the list, including Kenan Orhan, Rebecca Perry, and Djamel White. Chair Mary Beard, joined by Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker, praised the books for brilliantly mustering the power of words to take readers to new places.
Previous Winners Return
Marlon James, who won in 2015 for A Brief History of Seven Killings, appears with his fifth novel The Disappearers, set in 1980s Jamaica. Judges called it a reckoning from a singular literary talent. Douglas Stuart, winner in 2020 for Shuggie Bain, returns with John of John, praised for its rich, textural detail. Should either win again, they would join J.M. Coetzee, Peter Carey, Hilary Mantel, and Margaret Atwood as two-time Booker winners.
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Elizabeth Strout’s Third Nomination
Elizabeth Strout earns her third Booker nomination for The Things We Never Say, her 11th novel reckoning with Trump’s America. She was longlisted in 2016 for My Name Is Lucy Barton and shortlisted in 2022 for Oh William!
Debut Novelists Break Through
Three debut novelists made the longlist: Kenan Orhan, Rebecca Perry, and Djamel White. Their inclusion highlights a list that Gaby Wood, CEO of the Booker Prize Foundation, described as showing how capacious the literary landscape can be when judges bring a range of tastes and openness of mind.
Key Details at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of Novels | 13 |
| Previous Winners | Douglas Stuart, Marlon James |
| Debut Novelists | Kenan Orhan, Rebecca Perry, Djamel White |
| Judges | Mary Beard (chair), Jarvis Cocker |
| Nationalities | 7 across 3 continents |
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 Booker Prize longlist includes two previous winners and one three-time nominee.
- Ten of the 13 authors appear on a Booker longlist for the first time.
- Three debut novelists are featured, signaling fresh literary talent.
- The list rewards risk and diverse perspectives, according to judges.
FAQ
Who is on the 2026 Booker Prize longlist?
The longlist includes 13 novels by authors such as Douglas Stuart, Marlon James, Elizabeth Strout, and debut novelists Kenan Orhan, Rebecca Perry, and Djamel White. Full list details are available on the Booker Prize website.
Which previous Booker winners are on this year’s list?
Douglas Stuart (2020 winner for Shuggie Bain) and Marlon James (2015 winner for A Brief History of Seven Killings) both appear. If either wins, they become two-time Booker winners.
When will the Booker Prize winner be announced?
The shortlist is typically announced in September, followed by the winner in November 2026. Exact dates will be confirmed by the Booker Prize Foundation.
Stay tuned to GrandGoldman.com for more updates on the Booker Prize and literary awards. Discover analysis of the longlisted books and predictions for the winner.