Two Indian authors shortlisted for Booker

Tuesday,9 September 2008 20:30 hrs IST

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London: Two Indian authors - Aravind Adiga for his novel ''The White Tiger'' and Amitav Ghosh for his book ''Sea of Poppies''- were short-listed for the £50,000 Man Booker Prize 2008. First-time novelist Adiga is the youngest in the running at 34. But surprisingly, Salman Rushdie's ''The Enchantress of Florence'' failed to make it to the elite six. This was rather unexpected especially after he won for the second time the Booker of Booker Prize earlier this year.

However, after being shortlisted in the list of 13 in July this year, Rushdie's novel was installed as the 4-1 favourite by Bookmakers Ladbrokes.

Following the announcement of the long list, his novel enjoyed sales increase along with others. It saw an overall increase of 56.5 per cent sales in the first week of the announcement.

The short list of six was announced by the judges, which apart from the two Indian authors, included Sebastian Barry (The Secret Scripture), Linda Grant (The Clothes On Their Backs), Steve Toltz (A Fraction Of the Whole) and Philip Hensher (The Northern Clemency).

Bookmakers William Hills feel that Barry is the favourite to win and has given him 2 to 1 odds. Linda Grant and Toltz have 3 to 1 odds, Ghosh, 6 to 1, Adiga and Hensher 8 to 1.

Michael Portillo, the Booker chair of judges, called the six final works ''intensely readable'', adding they are ''extraordinary examples of imagination and narrative.'' ''These books are, in every case, both ambitious and approachable,'' he added. The winner will be announced on October 14 at the awards ceremony at Guildhall, London.

Source MM