American Novelists Dominate Booker's Shortlist 2021

A woman reads a book in a bookstore in Beijing on Nov. 7, 2017. GREG BAKER/AFP
A woman reads a book in a bookstore in Beijing on Nov. 7, 2017. GREG BAKER/AFP
TT
20

American Novelists Dominate Booker's Shortlist 2021

A woman reads a book in a bookstore in Beijing on Nov. 7, 2017. GREG BAKER/AFP
A woman reads a book in a bookstore in Beijing on Nov. 7, 2017. GREG BAKER/AFP

The Booker Prize was limited to participants from the British Commonwealth and Ireland, but as of 2014, it expanded its geographic circle to include the United States. Since then, many British critics and novelists have been concerned from the domination of American writers, which actually happened, at least in this edition. Announced on Tuesday, the Booker Prize Shortlist includes three American novelists out of six, and one British-Somali novelist, Nadifa Mohamed.

Obviously, the jury prepared itself for the rage over the selection. Historian Maya Jasanoff, head of the jury, said each book was assessed based on its merit and the final decision was taken objectively. Jury Member novelist Chigozie Obioma said they didn't consider the origin of the book because the content and how the writer expresses his vision are the factors that really matter. The origin of the book doesn't mean anything, and the absence of more British novelists from the list is no more than a coincidence, he added.

The only British nominee Nadifa Mohamed inspired her novel "The Fortune Men" from a real story revolving around a man who was falsely convicted in killing a store owner in Wales. The novel's sales boomed since it was featured on Booker's longlist. The three American novelists are: Patricia Lockwood for her first novel "No One is Talking about This," which revolves around a woman known for her abundant tweets and lives a real tragedy; Maggie Shipstead for her novel "Great Circle," about a missing female pilot; and Richard Powers for his novel "The Overstory."

The fifth nominee is South African writer Damon Galgut for his novel "The Promise," which tells the story of a white woman who promised to leave her house, located in her family's farm, to the house's black made, but the promise was not fulfilled. The last nominee is Anuk Arudpragasam for his novel "A Passage North," which explores the story of a young Tamil man who travels from Colombo to the North to attend his grandmother's funeral.

The winner will be announced in a ceremony in London on November 3.



Saudi Arabia’s Museums Commission Calls for Participation in 12th Red Sea Conference

Saudi Arabia’s Museums Commission Calls for Participation in 12th Red Sea Conference
TT
20

Saudi Arabia’s Museums Commission Calls for Participation in 12th Red Sea Conference

Saudi Arabia’s Museums Commission Calls for Participation in 12th Red Sea Conference

Saudi Arabia’s Museums Commission, in collaboration with the Heritage Commission, launched on Monday an open call for participation in the twelfth edition of the Red Sea Conference, scheduled for April 9 to 12, 2026, at the forthcoming Red Sea Museum.

The museum is housed in the historic Bab Al-Bunt building, located in the heart of Jeddah Historic District, which has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2014.

The event aligns with Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to boost its cultural and academic presence in the region and to activate the role of museums as vital platforms for cultural knowledge and exchange.

‏Since its inception in 2002, the Red Sea Conference has established itself as a leading international forum for the interdisciplinary study of the Red Sea as a unique historical and geographical corridor.

Past editions were hosted by renowned institutions including the British Museum, the University of Southampton, the University of Exeter, the University of Tabuk, the Università degli Studi di Napoli "L'Orientale", the University of Warsaw, the Maison de l'Orient et de la Méditerranée, the University of Crete, and the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona.

‏The conference will explore a rich array of interdisciplinary themes, including the Red Sea as a dynamic space shaped by cultural and geographical boundaries, its role as a major artery of ancient maritime trade and exchange, and the relationship between people and the environment over time.

Participants will also examine the archaeological landscapes of ancient cities and ports, approaches to preserving cultural and underwater heritage, and the lasting impact of cross-cultural interactions across Africa, Arabia, and the Indian Ocean.

‏In support of scholarly research and to encourage broad participation, the organizers have announced the availability of five travel grants for researchers whose papers are accepted. These grants will cover travel, accommodation, and registration fees, with preference given to applicants from the Red Sea region and developing countries.

‏By hosting the Red Sea Conference, the Museums Commission and the Heritage Commission underscore the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to foster cultural dialogue, strengthen international collaboration, and highlight the enduring role of the Red Sea as a living archive of human history and civilizations.