Booker Prize 2025 Longlist: A Global List with a Few Ripples
The Booker Prize longlist is one of the most anticipated announcements in the literary year, setting the tone for the months leading up to the November winner’s ceremony. This year’s reveal brought both excitement and a few raised eyebrows.
Kiran Desai’s Long-Awaited Return
One of the headline moments was the return of Kiran Desai with The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny. Nearly two decades have passed since Desai won the Booker in 2006 for The Inheritance of Loss. Her new novel has landed her on the longlist alongside 12 other authors representing nine nationalities — making this the most globally diverse Booker list in a decade.
A List That Travels Far
The 2025 longlist offers a broad sweep of settings, voices, and themes. It includes established names and debut authors, works in translation, and novels that span continents and political landscapes. It’s a reminder that the Booker is increasingly a showcase for literature that crosses borders, both geographically and stylistically.
Transparency Under the Spotlight
This year’s judging panel includes Roddy Doyle, Kiley Reid, and Sarah Jessica Parker — whose name made headlines for more than her judging role. Parker disclosed a prior publishing connection with one of the longlisted authors, Claire Adam, whose novel Love Forms she had published in the US. The early and open declaration avoided formal criticism, but it sparked discussion on how intertwined the literary world can be and the importance of transparency in major prizes.
Why the Longlist Matters
Beyond the eventual winner of the £50,000 prize, the longlist can transform careers. For many authors, a place here means international attention, increased sales, and invitations to festivals worldwide. For readers, it’s an invitation to discover new voices and revisit familiar ones in fresh contexts.
Dates for the Diary
The shortlist will be announced on 23 September, with the winner revealed at London’s Old Billingsgate on 10 November. Between now and then, the conversation will focus on which books have the momentum, and which could surprise.
The Takeaway
The Booker Prize 2025 longlist feels like a confident statement about the value of global storytelling. It recognises the pull of a returning literary heavyweight like Desai, but it also leaves room for lesser-known authors to rise. The debate it sparks — about taste, diversity, and even conflicts of interest — is part of what keeps the Booker relevant.