Summary

  • The Booker Prize Ceremony 2020, brought to you live from the Roundhouse, London by Front Row and BBC Arts on 19 November.

  • Six novels were shortlisted for the £50,000 prize for fiction, in this extraordinary year in which reading has taken on a renewed importance.

  • Taking part in the socially distanced proceedings were Sir Kazuo Ishiguro, last year's winners Margaret Atwood and Bernardine Evaristo, chair of judges Margaret Busby, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, and former President of the United States Barack Obama.

  • The evening was hosted by Front Row's John Wilson and broadcast simultaneously on Radio 4 and BBC iPlayer.

  • Use #2020BookerPrize on social media.

  1. That's all from us tonightpublished at 21:05 GMT 19 November 2020

    Congratulations again to Douglas Stuart, whose novel Shuggie Bain has joined the exclusive club of Booker Prize winners.

    You can relive the excitement of tonight's ceremony by clicking the play button at the top of the page.

    Media caption,

    Douglas Stuart reads from his 2020 Booker prizewinning novel

  2. Ayesha Dharker reads from shortlisted novel This Mournable Bodypublished at 20:55 GMT 19 November 2020

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  3. ...and here's another of tonight's readingspublished at 20:50 GMT 19 November 2020

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  4. Listen againpublished at 20:43 GMT 19 November 2020

    Here's another chance to listen again to Anne-Marie Duff reading from The New Wilderness:

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  5. More from Front Rowpublished at 20:40 GMT 19 November 2020

    There is still time to listen to our Front Row Booker panel discussion:

    Quote Message

    It’s also important to remember with prizes... the shortlist is really the important thing. The ultimate winner can be the result of maybe horse-trading between the judges, a bit of a compromise. So, in a sense, it’s less important which book wins. But you know that the shortlist contains half a dozen books that a group of well-read people strongly recommend.

    Literary critic John Self

    Media caption,

    Elle Osili-Wood and guests discuss some of the issues raised by this year’s shortlist.

    Don't forget that you can hear more from the BBC's flagship arts and culture strand on Radio 4 every week.

  6. "Just one of two Scottish writers to win the prize"published at 20:35 GMT 19 November 2020

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  7. "A novel that will stay with me for a long time to come"published at 20:33 GMT 19 November 2020

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  8. Find more recommendations for great readspublished at 20:33 GMT 19 November 2020

    As part of the BBC's The Novels That Shaped Our World season, we're asking you to help complete the largest ever survey of English language novels. It only takes a few minutes to take part, and you'll receive personalised recommendations for your next great read.

    Review novels and get book recommendationsImage source, Unsplash
    Image caption,

    We need your help to complete the largest ever survey of English language novels

  9. "A desperately moving, heartbreaking book"published at 20:28 GMT 19 November 2020

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  10. Hear The Duchess of Cornwall againpublished at 20:25 GMT 19 November 2020

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  11. There's plenty more Booker content to enjoypublished at 20:23 GMT 19 November 2020

    Check out the BBC Arts site for more Booker content from 2020 and from previous years

    To celebrate the 20th anniversary of BBC Radio 4's Book Club, James Naughtie invited Atwood to discuss her novel The Handmaid's Tale - the forerunner to last year's joint prize-winning novel The Testaments.

    Media caption,

    Margaret Atwood on her dystopian masterpiece The Handmaid's Tale. With James Naughtie.

  12. From the Booker judgespublished at 20:17 GMT 19 November 2020

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  13. More recognition for Douglas Stuartpublished at 20:16 GMT 19 November 2020

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  14. Why not set up your own book group?published at 20:11 GMT 19 November 2020

    If tonight's ceremony has inspired you to spend more time reading, why not get together with friends and talk about your experiences. We've some great advice on how to set up an online book club:

    Quote Message

    Don't be afraid to experiment and try out new things related to the book... how about making memes based on the book as a way to engage with plot, theme and characterisation?

    Find more advice: Novel connections: How to set up your own online book group

    Book groupImage source, Croissant o UKi DSd TTyg / unsplash
    Image caption,

    Lockdown needn't be a barrier to running a book group

  15. More reaction to tonight's ceremonypublished at 20:09 GMT 19 November 2020

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  16. More about tonight's winning novelpublished at 20:07 GMT 19 November 2020

    You can read more about Shuggie Bain on the Booker website, external:

    Quote Message

    Shuggie Bain is destined to be a classic — a moving, immersive and nuanced portrait of a tight-knit social world, its people and its values.

    Margaret Busby, 2020 chair of judges

  17. Will you be here in ten years' time?published at 20:03 GMT 19 November 2020

    If you have been struggling to write a novel during lockdown, you might be reassured to hear that it took shortlisted author Maaza Mengiste ten years to write The Shadow King - and that she binned her entire draft half-way through.

    The Front Row team have some great advice on how to write your first novel. And who knows - maybe one day you'll be joining us here on the Booker stage.

    Author
    Image caption,

    Are you just one coffee away from beginning your first novel?

  18. More praise for Douglaspublished at 20:01 GMT 19 November 2020

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  19. Congratulations Douglaspublished at 19:59 GMT 19 November 2020

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  20. Douglas Stuart speakspublished at 19:56 GMT 19 November 2020

    Douglas explains what his win means to him:

    Quote Message

    I know I'm only the second Scottish book in fifty years to have won, and that means I think a lot for regional voices, for working class stories, so thank you