Alumnae Make 2020 Man Booker Shortlist

On Sep. 15, the novel The New Wilderness by Writing alumna Diane Cook ’12 joined the 2020 Man Booker Prize shortlist, having made the longlist earlier this summer.

“We were looking for books that really told a story and grabbed us, [and] we were looking for originality as well,” said Man Booker judge Sameer Rahim in a video announcing the shortlist. “Every book that we’ve chosen makes one bring all one’s attention, emotions, to understanding what the writer was trying to say,” added fellow judge Margaret Busby.

“I found out the news through email,” said Cook, in the Man Booker’s watch party. “I was nursing my three-month-old...I just had my baby in my arms and was just thrilled.”

Judge Lemm Sissay called The New Wilderness “the environmental novel of our times” in the shortlist watch party, adding that this novel would be something the “older Greta Thunberg would take great pleasure in reading.” 

Burnt Sugar by Barnard alumna Avni Doshi ‘05 is also on the Man Booker shortlist. “Precisely written,” said Rahim, “and told from a resolutely unsentimental perspective...This is a compelling book.” On making the shortlist, Doshi said, “This is an amazing way to reach more readers.”

“It’s exciting to realize there are so many interesting female authors out there,” said judge Emily Wilson, “there are so many interesting non-white authors out there, giving us different glimpses of what the world is all about.”

Judge Lee Child added: “If you read the shortlist right now it will show you where the novel is right now in 2020 and it will give you a pretty good idea of where it might go in the future.”

The winner of the 2020 Man Booker Prize will be announced on Nov. 11.