Samantha Harvey was the only British writer to make the shortlist with her "bewitching" novella "Orbital", which follows the lives of a group of astronauts on the International Space Station, said Allfree.

Announcing the news at Somerset House, Edmund de Waal, chair of the 2024 judges, insisted that the books were not selected for the “issues” they tackled, though he did acknowledge that they all grappled with ideas of identity and the “fault lines of our times”.

Booker Prize shortlist has been announced, with the largest number of women represented in its 55-year history. Five of the six-strong shortlist are women, with authors from five countries represented,

This year’s Booker Prize shortlist features the highest number of female writers shortlisted in the prize’s 55-year history, as well as the first Dutch author to be shortlisted.

This year's six-book shortlist includes five women authors—the largest number of women in the prizes 55-year history—and two Americans: Percival Everett and Rachel Kushner. The winner will be announced on November 12.

Booker Prize judge Sara Collins has said this year’s shortlist which features the most women in its 55-year history is a “wonderful, genuine surprise”. Collins, who is best known for writing The Confessions Of Frannie Langton,