Ali Smith makes the Man Booker Prize longlist for the fourth time

Scottish writer Ali Smith has been longlisted for the Man Booker prize for the fourth time with her novel Autumn.

She joins Arundhati Roy, whose first novel in 20 years, The Ministry Of Utmost Happiness, could earn her a second Man Booker Prize. The Indian writer’s follow up to The God Of Small Things – two decades in the waiting – is included in the 13-strong list and could see her become just the fourth double-winner of the award.

Only three other writers – Australian Peter Carey, Wolf Hall author Hilary Man- 0 Ali Smith is nominated for her latest novel, Autumn tel and South African-born JM Coetzee – have won the esteemed literary prize twice.

Roy’s first novel since 1997 is described as a “rich and vital book” by the judges which comes from “the bowels of India”.

Alongside her on the longlist are four writers from the UK, four from the US, two from the Republic of Ireland and two from Pakistan.

Irish author Sebastian Barry also earns his fourth nod on the list, while Jon Mcgregor is up for the award for a third time. Also listed is British writer Zadie Smith.

Three debut novels are also included, two by the youngest authors on the list – Elmet by 29-year-old Fiona Mozley and History Of Wolves by Emily Fridlund, 38. The third debut is George Saunders’s first fulllength novel, Lincoln In The Bardo.