SAUNDERS, SMITH AND HAMID ARE ON MAN BOOKER SHORTLIST

The 2017 Man Booker Prize shortlist for fiction was announced early Wednesday, featuring six of the most talked about authors and novels of the year. The list includes 4 3 2 1 by Paul Auster, History of Wolves by Emily Fridlund, Exit West by Mohsin Hamid, Elmet by Fiona Mozley, Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders and Autumn by Ali Smith. Mozley and Fridlund are not only the youngest on the considerably diverse list, but both first- time novelists. With the award having only been open to American authors for the last four years, three have made the shortlist this year, including Fridlund, Auster and Saunders. The other three authors are British, with Smith and Hamid (who is BritishPakistani), having previously been shortlisted for the award. Chair of judges, Baroness Lola Young, said in a statement, “This year’s shortlist both acknowledges established authors and introduces new voices to the literary stage.” The winner, who will receive a £50,000 prize, will be announced on Oct. 17 at a ceremony in London.