I mentioned this in an earlier post and discovered a few Muriel Spark fans lurking about. Since then, the years 1961-1970 were declared to be the years in which to set your 2009 movie, as epitomised by ‘The Single Man’, set in 1962, for which Colin Firth won a BAFTA. The period certainly gives directors the chance to feature some interesting lampshades, toasters, rugs and glasses in their films. Anyway, the Booker 1970 shortlist was announced a few days ago, four decades late, and fans of Ms Spark will be pleased to note that she has made it this far…
- Muriel Spark: The Driver’s Seat
- Patrick White: The Vivisector
- Shirley Hazzard: The Bay of Noon
- Nina Bawden: The Birds on the Trees
- J G Farrell: Troubles
- Mary Renault: Fire from Heaven
If you want to cast your vote online, you have until 23 April to do so. Just click here to go to the Man Booker prize website.
