Daisy Johnson, Kushner are Man Booker finalists

London, September 20

Three UK authors, two Americans and a Canadian are finalists for the Man Booker Prize for fiction.

The shortlist announced on Thursday includes two first novels: UK poet Robin Robertson’s verse novel “The Long Take” and “Everything Under” by British writer Daisy Johnson. At 27, Johnson is the youngest-ever Booker finalist.

The American finalists are Rachel Kushner’s prison story “The Mars Room” and Richard Powers’ tree-inspired tale “The Overstory.” “Washington Black,” the saga of an escaped slave by Canada’s Esi Edugyan, and Troubles-set story “Milkman” by Northern Ireland writer Anna Burns round out the list. Favourites, including Canada’s Michael Ondaatje, didn’t make the cut from the 13-novel longlist. The winner of the 50,000 pound (USD 66,000) prize will be announced on October 16 during a black-tie dinner at London’s Guildhall. — AP