Will Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyò be the second Nigerian novelist to win the booker prize
The 2023 Booker Prize Longlist parades awesome writers from seven countries across four continents.
It’s a Long List of 13 evocative works from seasoned writers, ten newly recognised authors, and four debut novelists, exploring critical aspects of our 21st Century existence.
On the first of August 2023, the list was first introduced to the public.
It was a pleasant surprise to find our dear novelist, Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ on the revered List. But not so much of a surprise. We know what she did with “Stay With Me.”
This time, she got herself on the list with another banger, “A Spell of Good Things.”
She is the only African on the list. She has joined the class of great Nigerian novelists who made the list at different times.
The likes of: Chinua Achebe, Ben Okri, Oyinkan Braithwaite, and Chigozie Obioma.
Ben Okri went on to win the Booker PRIZE in 1991 with his magical realist novel, “The Famished Road.”
If Ayobami Adebayo eventually goes on to win this year’s edition, she’d be the second Nigerian to do so.
Below is the 2023 Booker Dozen List:
A Spell of Good Things
The House of Doors
The Bee Sting
Western Lane
In Ascension
Prophet Song
All the Little Bird-Hearts
Pearl
This Other Eden
How to Build a Boat
If I Survive You
Study for Obedience
Old God’s Time.
The Canadian novelist, Esi Edugyan, who had been shortlisted twice for the Prize, chairs the 2023 panel of judges.
Other members of the panel include:
Mary Jean Chan, Adjoa Andoh, Robert Webb and James Shapiro.
The powerful panel is looking forward to drawing an exceptional Shortlist of six novels from all the 13 long-form fiction works published in Ireland and the UK between October 1st 2022 and 30th September 2023.
The best of the lot (the winner) will go home with the £50,000 prize after the final announcement at Old Billingsgate, London, on November 26, 2023.
We are keeping our fingers 🤞 crossed for Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀.
Joshua Idowu Omidire, is a language enthusiast, writer, merciless Headitor, publisher, and digital media strategist.