Booker Prize judges reveal shortlisted novels after selection 'tussle'

Image source, Neo Gilder/Booker Prize Foundation Image caption, The Booker Prize 2026 judges are Rebecca Liu, Jarvis Cocker, Dame Mary Beard, Raymond Antrobus and Patricia Lockwood

Past Booker Prize winners Marlon James and Douglas Stuart have been shortlisted for the prestigious literary award again, after a selection process that the judges described as "a tussle".

Jamaican writer James is nominated this year for his latest novel The Disappearers; while Scottish author Stuart is shortlisted for John of John.

This year's other contenders are award-winning US novelist Elizabeth Strout, and British authors M John Harrison, Luke Kennard and Rebecca Perry.

But seven books that appeared on the longlist in July have been jettisoned, and Dame Mary Beard, who chaired the judging panel, said agreeing on the final six "has been, to put it mildly, hard work".

Scroll down to find out more about this year's nominees.