Indian-origin author Avni Doshi is among the six finalists whose works have been shortlisted for the 2020 Booker Prize for her debut novel Burnt Sugar.
The shortlist was unveiled virtually in London yesterday after judges re-evaluated the 13 longlisted novels published in the UK or Ireland between October 2019 and September 2020 to whittle down the list for the GBP 50,000 literary prize in November.
"This utterly compelling read examines a complex and unusual mother-daughter relationship with honest, unflinching realism – sometimes emotionally wrenching but also cathartic, written with poignancy and memorability," the judges said of Avni Doshi's entry.
Avni Doshi, born in the US and now living in Dubai, has previously spoken about the long journey to her first novel, which was released in India last year as Girl in White Cotton and for its UK release in July.
The rest of the shortlist includes Diane Cook for The New Wilderness, Zimbabwean writer Tsitsi Dangarembga for the third novel in her trilogy – This Mournable Body, Maaza Mengiste for The Shadow King, Douglas Stuart for Shuggie Bain and Brandon Taylor for Real Life.
"The shortlist of six came together unexpectedly, voices and characters resonating with us all even when very different. We are delighted to help disseminate these chronicles of creative humanity to a global audience," said Margaret Busby, literary critic and chair of the 2020 judges.
nglish and published in the UK or Ireland. The shortlist of six books will be announced on September 15, with each shortlisted authors receiving 2,500 pounds and a specially bound edition of their book at the prize ceremony scheduled for November.