Booker Prize Winners 1969-2024: Complete Notes

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Welcome to our exciting journey through the “Booker Prize Winners List 1969-2023 with all Key Details“. The Booker Prize is one of the most prestigious awards in literature, and each winner has a unique story to tell. Here, we bring you an engaging and easy-to-read guide, perfect for readers preparing for competitive exams.

From the very first award in 1969 to the most recent winner, our comprehensive list will keep you informed and entertained. Each entry includes not only the title and author but also some interesting insights into why these works stood out.

Table of Contents

What is the Booker Prize?

The Booker Prize, formerly known as the Booker Prize for Fiction (1969–2001) and the Man Booker Prize (2002–2019), is a prestigious literary award conferred annually for the best single work of sustained fiction written in the English language.

The winning book must have been published in the United Kingdom and/or Ireland. Established in 1969, the prize has a rich history and is highly regarded in British culture.

Booker Prize Winners List 1969-2023

Year	Winning Author	Title
1969	P. H. Newby	Something to Answer For
1970	Bernice Rubens	The Elected Member
1970	J. G. Farrell	Troubles
1971	V. S. Naipaul	In a Free State
1972	John Berger	G.
1973	J. G. Farrell	The Siege of Krishnapur
1974	Nadine Gordimer	The Conservationist
1975	Ruth Prawer Jhabvala	Heat and Dust
1976	David Storey	Saville
1977	Paul Scott	Staying On
1978	Iris Murdoch	The Sea, the Sea
1979	Penelope Fitzgerald	Offshore
1980	William Golding	Rites of Passage
1981	Salman Rushdie	Midnight’s Children
1982	Thomas Keneally	Schindler’s Ark
1983	J. M. Coetzee	Life & Times of Michael K
1984	Anita Brookner	Hotel du Lac
1985	Keri Hulme	The Bone People
1986	Kingsley Amis	The Old Devils
1987	Penelope Lively	Moon Tiger
1988	Peter Carey	Oscar and Lucinda
1989	Kazuo Ishiguro	The Remains of the Day
1990	A. S. Byatt	Possession: A Romance
1991	Ben Okri	The Famished Road
1992	Michael Ondaatje	The English Patient
1993	Roddy Doyle	Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha
1994	James Kelman	How late it was, how late
1995	Pat Barker	The Ghost Road
1996	Graham Swift	Last Orders
1997	Arundhati Roy	The God of Small Things
1998	Ian McEwan	Amsterdam
1999	J. M. Coetzee	Disgrace
2000	Margaret Atwood	The Blind Assassin
2001	Peter Carey	True History of the Kelly Gang
2002	Yann Martel	Life of Pi
2003	DBC Pierre	Vernon God Little
2004	Alan Hollinghurst	The Line of Beauty
2005	John Banville	The Sea
2006	Kiran Desai	The Inheritance of Loss
2007	Anne Enright	The Gathering
2008	Aravind Adiga	The White Tiger
2009	Hilary Mantel	Wolf Hall
2010	Howard Jacobson	The Finkler Question
2011	Julian Barnes	The Sense of an Ending
2012	Hilary Mantel	Bring Up the Bodies
2013	Eleanor Catton	The Luminaries
2014	Richard Flanagan	The Narrow Road to the Deep North
2015	Marlon James	A Brief History of Seven Killings
2016	Paul Beatty	The Sellout
2017	George Saunders	Lincoln in the Bardo
2018	Anna Burns	Milkman
2019	Margaret Atwood	The Testaments
2020	Douglas Stuart	Shuggie Bain
2021	Damon Galgut	The Promise
2022	Shehan Karunatilaka	The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida
2023	Paul Lynch	Prophet Song

2023 Booker Prize Winner

The 2023 Booker Prize went to Paul Lynch for his book “Prophet Song”. This story is set in a future Ireland where the government has too much power. People loved how Lynch told the tale, and he got a big award for it.

The prize money was £50,000! [₹50,00,000 (5 million Indian Rupees)] The award ceremony happened in London on November 26.

Some news: I am excited to announce that I will be joining Maynooth University as Distinguished Writing Fellow where I will be teaching on the MA in Creative Writing. I’m thrilled to be a part of this writing program alongside a team of brilliant colleagues… https://t.co/v85xCED8Vz
— Paul Lynch (@paullynchwriter) February 13, 2024

The winner from last year, Shehan Karunatilaka, gave Lynch the prize. The book talks about tough things like politics, violence, and people being forced to leave their homes.

Lynch’s writing is special because he cares about people and uses words in a cool way. He’s the fifth Irish writer to win this prize, joining famous authors like Iris Murdoch, John Banville, Roddy Doyle, and Anne Enright.

The First Woman to Win the Booker Prize

In the world of literature, there’s a prestigious award called the Booker Prize. It’s like a gold medal for writers. And guess what? The first woman to win this prize was Margaret Atwood. She’s a talented Canadian author who knows how to weave words into captivating stories.

When it comes to writing, Margaret doesn’t just scribble down words. She crafts her tales meticulously, paying attention to every detail. Her stories navigate the complexities of human emotions, relationships, and the ever-changing world around us. Margaret’s writing is robust—it’s not just any run-of-the-mill stuff. She tailors her narratives to resonate with readers, unveiling secrets and touching hearts.

So, if you’re seeking more than just ordinary stories, pick up one of Margaret Atwood’s books. They’re designed to enhance your literary experience, taking you on a journey through the heart of imagination. Don’t be daunted; dive in and explore the realm of her remarkable storytelling.

Booker Prize Winners from India

Here’s a table listing the Indian authors who have won the Booker Prize:

Year	Author	Title of Work
1971	V.S. Naipaul	In a Free State
1980	Anita Desai	Clear Light of Day
1981	Salman Rushdie	Midnight’s Children
1997	Arundhati Roy	The God of Small Things
2006	Kiran Desai	The Inheritance of Loss
2008	Aravind Adiga	The White Tiger

These talented writers have made significant contributions to literature, and their award-winning novels continue to resonate with readers worldwide.

Booker Prize-Winning Books

Below is a table listing some of the notable Booker Prize-winning Books from its inception in 1969 up to the present:

Year	Author	Title of Work
1969	P. H. Newby	Something to Answer For
1970	Bernice Rubens	The Elected Member
1971	V. S. Naipaul	In a Free State
1980	Anita Desai	Clear Light of Day
1981	Salman Rushdie	Midnight’s Children
1997	Arundhati Roy	The God of Small Things
2006	Kiran Desai	The Inheritance of Loss
2008	Aravind Adiga	The White Tiger
2019	Margaret Atwood	The Testaments
2020	Douglas Stuart	Shuggie Bain
2021	Richard Powers	Bewilderment

Eligibility and Criteria

Originally, only novels written by Commonwealth, Irish, and South African (and later Zimbabwean) citizens were eligible for the prize.

In 2014, eligibility was expanded to include any English-language novel, a change that sparked controversy.

The winning work must demonstrate sustained excellence in fiction.

Selection Process

A five-person panel, comprising authors, publishers, journalists, and other cultural figures, is appointed each year by the Booker Prize Foundation to choose the winning book.

The chief executive of the foundation, as of 2015, is Gaby Wood.

Award and Impact

The winner of the Booker Prize receives a cash award of £50,000 (50,000.00 British Pounds) equivalent to 53,20,992.92 Indian Rupees.

Winning the prize leads to significant international publicity and often boosts book sales.

Being shortlisted or nominated for the “longlist” is also considered a mark of distinction for authors.

International Booker Prize

A sister prize, the International Booker Prize, is awarded for a work of fiction translated into English and published in the United Kingdom or Ireland.

Unlike the Booker Prize, short story collections are eligible for the International Booker Prize.

The £50,000 prize money is evenly split between the author and the translator of the winning novel.

In summary, the Booker Prize is a highly anticipated literary award that celebrates outstanding fiction and contributes to the global literary landscape.