Previous winners Douglas Stuart and Marlon James lead a Brit-heavy Booker prize longlist

The 2026 Booker prize longlist features 13 novels from authors of seven nationalities across three continents, with nearly half based in the UK. Previous winners Douglas Stuart and Marlon James are included, alongside three-time nominee Elizabeth Strout. Chair of judges Mary Beard stated the selection rewards risk and takes readers to new places. Ten writers appear on the longlist for the first time, including debut novelists Kenan Orhan and Rebecca Perry, competing for the £50,000 award.