British author M. John Harrison wins 2026 Booker Prize : GS TIMES IAS-PCS

Why in News?

British author M. John Harrison has been named the winner of the 2026 Booker Prize for his dystopian satire The End of Everything. At 81, he became the oldest author to receive the prestigious literary award.

Key Highlights

Winner: M. John Harrison (British author).
Winning novel: The End of Everything.
Genre: Dystopian satire.
Length: 198 pages, making it the shortest novel on the 2026 shortlist.
Age: 81 years.
Recognition: The judges appreciated the novel for leaving readers with a sense of optimism about the world.
Writing career: Approximately 60 years.

Other Authors on the 2026 Shortlist

Author	Book
Douglas Stuart	John of John
Marlon James	The Disappearers
Elizabeth Strout	The Things We Never Say
Luke Kennard	Black Bag
Rebecca Perry	May We Feed the King

About the Booker Prize

Established: 1969.
Nature: Annual literary award.
Eligibility: The prize recognises the best sustained work of fiction written in English and published in the UK or Ireland, as selected by the judges.
Prize money:
- Winner: £50,000.
- Each shortlisted author: £2,500.
Significance: It provides international recognition, expands readership and often leads to a substantial increase in book sales.

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