Man Booker Prize

What exactly is “a Booker book”? Some might jump to a specific kind of high-minded, serious fiction, while others argue for a broader definition inclusive of more mainstream titles. Over the years, the pendulum has swung between the two and in 2003, DBC Pierre's debut, Vernon God Little, was awarded the prize. In this episode, we take a closer look at the novel and why it was an unexpected winner. In this episode, Jo and James talk about: Their childhood reading inspirations A brief – and slightly spoiler-y – summary of Vernon God Little The reaction to its 2003 Man Booker Prize win The author behind the novel, DBC Pierre Whether Vernon God Little stands up to reading 20 years after its release Books to read after reading Vernon God Little Books and authors discussed in this episode: Matilda by Roald Dahl Rudyard Kipling Charles Dickens Vladimir Nabokov Virginia Woolf The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry The ‘His Dark Materials’ trilogy by Philip Pullman The Moomins books by Tove Jan