American novelist and Pulitzer Prize winner
The Booker Prize has announced its longlist of 13 novels for 2026, featuring veterans and debut authors from seven countries. Mary Beard chairs a panel that has prioritised risk-taking, with titles spanning Jamaica, Scotland, Mexico, Turkey, and the United States. The list aims to diversify the canon and spark debate ahead of the November winner reveal.
A jury at London’s Old Bailey has found 19‑year‑old Johannes Kongsnes Natland guilty of conspiracy to murder after he travelled from Stavanger to the UK in March 2025 and was arrested in a Huddersfield hotel with two guns, ammunition and cash. Prosecutors say he was recruited by Sweden’s Foxtrot Network, which governments have linked to Iran.
A couple and their observers navigate a web of failed dreams and fragile affection in a cautious, intelligent drama from Seoul-based cinema. The film questions whether love can endure in the face of social pressure, economic strain and personal loss, offering a tempered, reflective ending.
The 2026 Booker Prize shortlist has been revealed, featuring six novels from Jamaica to Scotland, including Marlon James, Elizabeth Strout, Rebecca Perry and Douglas Stuart. Mary Beard chairs the judging panel; the winner will be announced in London on Nov. 9.