The 2026 Booker Prize shortlist is 'writing at its best'

The 2026 Booker Prize shortlist showcases an impressive array of storytelling from a diverse range of genres. Past award winners Marlon James and Douglas Stuart are back on the shortlist, with their latest works, The Disappearers and John of John respectively. Elizabeth Strout also returns to the competition, this time for her novel The Things We Never Say.

Judith Butler, chair of the 2025 judging panel, described the books as "writing at its best," noting their ability to cover a range of emotions and themes. The six shortlisted authors will each receive a £2,500 prize (about $3,300) and a special bound copy of their book. The winner will be awarded a trophy and £50,000 (about $66,600) on November 9.

The shortlist includes: The End of Everything by M. John Harrison, The Disappearers by Marlon James, Black Bag by Luke Kennard, May We Feed the King by Rebecca Perry, The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout, and John of John by Douglas Stuart. Harrison is known for his science fiction, James won the Booker Prize in 2015, Kennard is a poet and novelist, Perry made her debut with this novel, Strout has been shortlisted and longlisted for the prize previously, and Stuart won the prize in 2020.