Canadian writer David Szalay has been named as one of the finalists for the prestigious 2025 Booker Prize, which carries a prize of £50,000 (approximately $92,000 CAD). The annual award recognizes exceptional original novels written in English and published in the United Kingdom. Szalay’s nominated work, “Flesh,” delves into the tumultuous life of István, a 15-year-old entangled in a reckless affair that leads to a downward spiral.
As the narrative unfolds, István grapples with the consequences of his impulsive actions, achieving temporary fulfillment before facing potential ruin. Szalay, a seasoned author, has previously been shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2016 with his novel “All That Man Is,” which not only garnered critical acclaim but also secured the esteemed Gordon Burn Prize. His literary repertoire further includes titles such as “Turbulence” and “London and the South-East,” both recipients of prestigious literary awards.
The 2025 Booker Prize judging panel, led by Irish novelist Roddy Doyle, features a diverse lineup of esteemed personalities including Nigerian writer Ayobami Adebayo, British critic Chris Power, American author Kiley Reid, and renowned actress Sarah Jessica Parker. Doyle expressed his deep appreciation for the literary journey, emphasizing the intricate craftsmanship and profound humanity captured in the shortlisted novels.
The final contenders for the Booker Prize comprise a compelling selection of works, including Susan Choi’s “Flashlight,” Kiran Desai’s “The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny,” Katie Kitamura’s “Audition,” Ben Markovits’ “The Rest of Our Lives,” and Andrew Miller’s “The Land in Winter.” Notably, several of these acclaimed titles are readily accessible through the Centre for Equitable Library Access website.
The shortlisted authors will each receive £2,500 (about $4,600 CAD) along with a specially bound edition of their respective novels. The winner of the 2025 Booker Prize will be unveiled during a prestigious ceremony on November 10 at Old Billingsgate in London. Notably, the Booker Prize has welcomed submissions from authors of all nationalities since 2013, with past Canadian recipients including literary icons Margaret Atwood, who shared the 2019 award with British writer Bernardine Evaristo. Atwood was honored for “The Testaments,” while Evaristo received accolades for “Girl, Woman, Other.”
Throughout its illustrious history since 1969, the Booker Prize has celebrated outstanding literary achievements from around the globe, with notable Canadian triumphs by Michael Ondaatje for “The English Patient” in 1992 and Yann Martel for “Life of Pi” in 2002. Last year’s laureate was British novelist Samantha Harvey for her captivating work, “Orbital.”