Man Booker Prize, move over. Last night saw the announcement of the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature at the May Fair Hotel but the shortlist of five had mysteriously expanded to six. The rumour at the party was that it this occurred so as not to snub Indian literary lion Amitav Ghosh.
Shortlisted for the 2008 Man Booker for Sea of Poppies, Ghosh made it on to the list at the last minute with his new novel, River of Smoke.
Also making the cut was Jeet Thayil, for his Man Booker-nominated Narcopolis. The winner will be announced at the Jaipur Literary Festival in January.
Elbowing her way in as well was Nancy Dell’Olio, not yet known as a woman of letters. She turned up a little late, having been at a meeting. “Of course I’m going to Jaipur, darling,” she said. Of course.
