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| Thursday 22nd July 2004 Man Booker Prize 2007 The winner of the country's leading literary prize, the Man Booker, is announced this week. In the run-up to the award, we are talking to the six authors who have had their novels selected for the shortlist. Ian McEwan "On Chesil Beach" is the story of newlyweds on a Dorset honeymoon struggling with their fledgling sexuality. The author talks to Rebecca Jones about the tensions in the novel and his doubts over the Man Booker prize itself. Listen to the extended interview Lloyd JonesSet in the remote Pacific, "Mister Pip" follows the islanders as they find solace in Dickens in a time of war. Lloyd Jones talks about being cast as a newcomer and the pressure of finding himself favourite to win. Listen to the extended interview Moshin Hamid"The Reluctant Fundamentalist" examines the reaction of a Muslim man living in America to the events of September 11th 2001. The 36 year old author talks about the conflict between his love for the US and outspoken criticism of its politics. Listen to the extended interview Nicola Barker"Darkmans" is an eight hundred and thirty eight page epic centred around a father son relationship with medieval overtones. Its author talks to Rebecca Jones about writing the longest book on the shortlist. Listen to the extended interview Indra Sinha"Animal's People" is a novel inspired by the terrible events in Bhopal, India in 1984 where poisonous gas leaked from an American-owned chemical plant, killing and injuring thousands of people. Indra Sinha explains to Rebecca Jones how he became involved in the tragedy. Listen to the extended interview Anne Enright"The Gathering" tells the story of the coming together of a huge Irish family following the suicide of a brother. The author talks to Rebecca Jones about large families, Catholicism and her decision to write the "full Irish" novel. Listen to the extended interview The BBC is not responsible for external websites | |
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