The Golden Man Booker

This is one of the 759 lists we use to generate our main The Greatest Books list.

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  • The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje

    "The English Patient" is a story of four diverse individuals brought together at an Italian villa during the final days of World War II. The narrative revolves around a severely burned man who can't remember his name or past, a young Canadian nurse who tends to him, a Sikh British Army sapper, and a Canadian thief. As they navigate their own traumas and losses, the past of the mysterious patient slowly unravels, revealing a tale of love, identity, and betrayal.

    The 644th Greatest Book of All Time
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  • In a Free State by V. S. Naipaul

    "In a Free State" is a collection of three short stories and a prologue and epilogue, portraying the realities of post-colonial life and the struggles of individuals caught between their native culture and the imposed Western values. The narratives span across India, Egypt, Washington D.C., and Africa, each exploring the themes of displacement, identity crisis, and cultural conflict. The book provides a profound examination of the human condition, the concept of freedom, and the complexities of power dynamics in a post-colonial world.

    The 2184th Greatest Book of All Time
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  • Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively

    "Moon Tiger" is a profound exploration of memory and history, narrated by a dying historian, Claudia Hampton, who decides to write a history of the world, but it turns out to be her own history as well. The narrative moves back and forth in time, reflecting Claudia's fragmented memories, and delves into her past relationships, particularly a passionate love affair in Egypt during World War II. The novel explores themes of love, war, the fluidity of time, and the subjective nature of history.

    The 6363rd Greatest Book of All Time
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  • Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

    The novel is a historical fiction set in the 1500s, during the reign of King Henry VIII. The story is told from the perspective of Thomas Cromwell, a man of humble beginnings who rises to become the King's chief minister. The narrative explores the political and religious upheavals of the time, including King Henry's break with the Catholic Church and his controversial marriage to Anne Boleyn. The protagonist's cunning, ambition, and survival instincts are central to the plot as he navigates the treacherous waters of the Tudor court.

    The 397th Greatest Book of All Time
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  • Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders

    The novel is set in a graveyard over the course of a single night and is narrated by a dazzling chorus of voices. The story is centered around the death of President Lincoln's 11-year-old son Willie, who resides in the Bardo, a transitional state between life and rebirth in Tibetan tradition. As Willie interacts with the other spirits stuck in this realm, his father visits the crypt to mourn, causing a struggle among the ghosts over the boy's soul. The narrative explores themes of grief, the impermanence of life, and the unresolved issues that keep us from moving on.

    The 1022nd Greatest Book of All Time
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About this list

Booker Prize, 5 Books

The Golden Man Booker was a special one-off prize awarded in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Booker Prize. All of the previous 51 winning titles since the Booker's inception in 1969 were eligible.

Five judges read the books from each relevant decade and chose a title which to be pitted against the judges' other choices. The judges' shortlist of five titles was announced on 26 May 2018, with voting also commencing that day. The winner was announced at a ceremony on 8 July 2018, at London's Southbank Centre, with the award going to Michael Ondaatje for his 1992 novel The English Patient.

The judges were (chosen decade in parentheses):

Robert McCrum (1970s)
Lemn Sissay (1980s)
Kamila Shamsie (1990s)
Simon Mayo (2000s)
Hollie McNish (2010s)

This list was originally published in 2018 and was added to this site over 1 year ago.

How Good is this List?

This list has a weight of 16%. To learn more about what this means please visit the Rankings page.

Here is a list of what is decreasing the importance of this list:

  • Voters: Voter Count
  • List: only covers 1 specific language
  • List: only covers 50 years

If you think this is incorrect please contact us.

List Information

Number of Voters:
5
Voter Count Unknown:
No
Voter Names Unknown:
No
High Quality Source:
No
Location Specific:
No
Category Specific:
No