3 Nigerian Authors Make The Longlist For The 2019 Booker Prize

A few hours ago, the longlist for one of the most prestigious literary honours, the 2019 Booker Prize, was announced. To absolutely no one’s surprise, three Nigerian authors made the list of 13 people: Oyinkan Braithwaite, Chigozie Obioma and Bernardine Evaristo.

Bernardine Evaristo, a British-Nigerian, made the list for her eighth book, Girl, Woman, Other; Chigozie Obioma for his second novel, An Orchestra of Minorities; and Oyinkan Braithwaite for her Women’s Prize-shortlisted debut novel, My Sister, the Serial Killer.

Bernadine Evaristo, Chigozie Obioma and Oyinkan Braithwaite (Photo: Yahoo/Goodreads/Stylist)

The 13 novels were selected from 151 submissions. Also long-listed are former winners: Margaret Atwood for her The Handmaid’s Tale sequel, The Testaments; and Salman Rushdie for Quichotte. The shortlist will be out on September 3, and the winner will be announced on October 14.

This is the first nomination for Evaristo and Braithwaite, and the second for Obioma, following his 2015 shortlisted debut, The Fishermen. Braithwaite’s nomination makes her the youngest candidate for the £50,000 prize this year.

Bernardine Evaristo for Girl, Woman, Other 

Released a few months ago, Girl, Woman, Other follows the lives and struggles of twelve different characters. Mostly women, black and British, they tell the stories of their families, friends and lovers, across the country and through the years.

(Photo: Bernadine Evaristo)

Chigozie Obioma for An Orchestra of Minorities 

An Orchestra of Minorities tells the story of Chinonso, a young poultry farmer whose soul is ignited when he sees a woman attempting to jump from a highway bridge. Written in the style of the Igbo literary tradition, Obioma weaves a heart-wrenching epic about destiny and determination.

(Photo: Chigozie Obioma)

Oyinkan Braithwaite for My Sister, The Serial Killer 

Hilarious and deliciously twisted,  My Sister, The Serial Killer tells the story of the complex relationship between a murderous yet glamorous Lagosian fashion designer and her responsible older sister, who’s always ready with bleach and rubber gloves to help cover up a crime. 

(Photo: Oyinkan Braithwaite)