Which Booker Prize-Winning Novel Should You Read Next?
ICYMI, The Tomb Of Sands by Geetanjali Shree has become the first Hindi novel to win the 2022 International Man Booker Prize. The novel, translated into English by Daisy Rockwell, follows the journey of an 80-year-old woman who goes on a journey to Pakistan to confront the demons of her past after her husband’s death. While accepting the award, the author said, “I never dreamt of the Booker, I never thought I could. What a huge recognition, I’m delighted, amazed, humbled, and honoured.”
Established in 1969 by a British food wholesaler, the awards have come a long way from only recognising writers from Commonwealth countries, Ireland, South Africa or Zimbabwe until it was opened to all English-language writers in 2014. Previously, Indian authors including VS Naipaul (In a Free State), Salman Rushdie (Midnight’s Children), Arundhati Roy (The God of Small Things), Kiran Desai (The Inheritance of Loss), and Arvind Adiga (The White Tiger) have won the prestigious prize.
If you’ve already read The Tomb of Sands, and are looking for your next read, then take a pick from our selection of previous Booker Prize-winning novels that would suit every mood…
The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
If you want to read a dark comedy: The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
Margaret Atwood has a knack for exploring dark and unsettling themes with a darkly comic lens. This 2000 Booker Prize-winning novel is no different. The novel follows Iris, an old woman who spends her time remembering her sister and her tragic death. It blends genres like gothic suspense, science fiction, and romance into a truly compelling read that packs a shocking twist at the end.
The Life of Pi by Yann Martel
If you want to read a book that has been adapted into a movie: Life of Pi by Yann Martel
While many Booker Prize-winning novels have found their way on to the big and small screens, Yann Martel’s Life Of Pi stands out because of its sheer cinematographic spectacle. The 2012 adaptation of Martel’s 2001 novel, starring Irrfan Khan, Tabu, and Suraj Sharma, is a spectacular story of two survivors of a shipwreck and what it teaches us about morality, solitude, spirituality, and our relationship with nature.
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
If you want to read a book that has an unreliable narrator: The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
The protagonist of Kazuo Ishiguro’s 1989 award-winning novel is a butler called Stevens who spent a long time in the service of an English lord at Darlington Hall. As Stevens starts on a long road trip to reconnect with a former colleague, the butler starts reminiscing about his time at Darlington Hall and the people he served there.
Wolf Hall by Hillary Mantle
If you want to read a book that is a mix of history and fiction: Wolf Hall by Hillary Mantle
Hillary Mantle’s fictionalised biography of Thomas Cromwell documents his rapid rise to power in the court of Henry VIII. It’s widely considered to be one of the best historical novels in the world. Mantle presents Cromwell in a different light as he navigates the treacherous path towards becoming a member of Henry’s inner circle and his closest confidante through the most tumultuous events in his reign, including his break with the Church and his marriage to Anne Boleyn.
Vernon God Little by DBC Pierre
If you want to read a book that’s a satire on society: Vernon God Little by DBC Pierre
DBC Pierre’s 2003 award-winning novel is more relevant now than ever. The story follows the titular 15-year-old Vernon as he finds himself in the middle of a school shooting. The novel effectively portrays how the rest of the world perceives modern-day America and its obsession with reality shows, gun violence, and the growing apathy towards humanity.
The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai
If you want to read a book that explores identity and displacement: The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai
Kiran Desai joined the ranks of Indian authors who have won the coveted prize with her 2006 novel The Inheritance of Loss. The novel is a poignant exploration of themes like migration, identity, and the bridge between traditionalism and modernity.
The Elected Member by Bernice Rubens
If you want to read a book about dysfunctional families and trauma: The Elected Member by Bernice Rubens
Welsh author Bernice Rubens became the first woman to win a Booker Prize when her 1970 novel took home the prestigious honour. In this book, the author gives the reader a peek behind the curtains of a seemingly respectable Jewish household and lets us in on the dysfunction that lies within. While the setting might be foreign to a lot of us, the themes of toxic relationships with close family members will resonate universally.
