Front Row Winner of the 2025 Booker Prize announced live from the ceremony
Nov 10, 2025
David Szalay, the prize-winning novelist whose book Flesh clinched the coveted award, shares insights from his acceptance speech. He explores the aesthetic risks he embraced in his writing journey. Joining him is Penelope Lively, an acclaimed author who champions the transformative power of children's literature. Roddy Doyle, the chair of the judges, discusses the intense selection process and the emotional stakes behind choosing the winner. This lively discussion dives deep into the art of novel-making and the impact of literature across ages.
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Scope And Range Of The Shortlist
- The 2025 Booker shortlist spans diverse geographies and eras, from 1962 Britain to 1990s India and contemporary London.
- This variety shows the prize values narrative range and cultural breadth in modern fiction.
Reading Between Takes
- Sarah Jessica Parker described hiding books in costume and reading during cuts while filming, even carrying torn chunks.
- She said she pulls out pages 'every time they say cut' and repairs books later.
Make Books Compete
- Make unread books 'compete' by alternating reading sessions to compare strengths directly.
- Kylie Reid advised reading an hour of one book and an hour of another to make them 'fight'.
