Lost Booker Prize Award for 1970

The Man Booker Prize is hosting a one off competition for novels published in 1970, the year that saw a change in entry rules for the award. This meant that 1970 novels lost eligibility for the competition.

Prior to 1970 the long and shortlists were compiled of books published the previous year. In 1971 the rules changed to books published in the current year.

‘The Lost Man Booker Prize’ was dreamt up by honorary archivist of the Booker Prize Foundation, Mr Peter Straus, who wanted to find out why a book published in 1970 was not entered into the competition. On further investigation he discovered why.

Literary Director of the Man Booker Prizes, Ion Trewin remarked that “Recognition for these novels and the eventual winner is long overdue.”

The longlist includes authors Ruth Rendell, Iris Murdoch and Melvyn Bragg. The shortlist will be announced in March and the winner in May.

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