The three shortlisted authors named Paul — Paul Harding, Paul Lynch and Paul Murray — are at the top of the list of bookies’ favourites to win this year’s Booker prize.
Betway’s odds have Lynch’s novel, Prophet Song, as the favourite to win, at 9/4. The novel “stands out, portraying an alternate Dublin ravaged by airstrikes, a government sliding into tyranny, and a family grappling with the decision to stay or leave,” said company spokesperson Chad Yeomans.
“A decade ago, this might have seemed like a distant dystopian scenario but, given recent global conflicts, such narratives have become all too familiar in today’s news landscape. As such, Lynch’s Prophet Song feels very relevant this year and is a justifiable favourite”.
Meanwhile, Ladbrokes has Prophet Song and Harding’s novel, This Other Eden, both at 11/4. “All eyes are on Sunday’s announcement, and the latest odds suggest a two-horse race,” said the company’s Alex Apati. “Our traders, nor punters, can’t split the two as things stand”.
Betway also suggests that the Pulitzer prize-winner Harding is Lynch’s closest competition, with odds of 7/2. This Other Eden is inspired by the true story of an island off the coast of Maine, which became one of the first racially integrated communities in the American north-east.
At William Hill, This Other Eden leads the pack alongside Murray’s novel The Bee Sting, a tragicomic family saga set in Ireland, both with odds of 2/1. Murray’s 643-page tome has been lauded by many critics.
At longer odds comes Sarah Bernstein’s Study for Obedience (5/1 at Ladbrokes and Betway; 4/1 at William Hill), Chetna Maroo’s Western Lane (6/1 at William Hill and Ladbrokes; 5/1 at Betway) and If I Survive You by Jonathan Escoffery (5/1 at Ladbrokes; 9/2 at Betway; 8/1 at William Hill).
“The authors on this year’s shortlist are all newcomers, bringing a fresh perspective without the presence of established heavyweights,” said Yeomans. Prominent authors who did not make this year’s longlist included Zadie Smith with her novel The Fraud and Barbara Kingsolver for Demon Copperhead.
Bookmakers’ favourites have triumphed in the past, with Damon Galgut’s novel The Promise winning in 2021 after emerging as the bookies’ frontrunner. In 2017, bookies’ favourite George Saunders won with Lincoln in the Bardo, despite the fact that Ali Smith’s Autumn was selling more copies.
The winner of the £50,000 Booker prize will be announced at a ceremony in London on Sunday.
