The Booker Prize, the world’s most prestigious award for a single work of fiction written in English and published in the UK or Ireland, has announced its longlist for 2023. A Spell of Good Things by Nigerian Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ is among that list.
Out of 160 shortlisted novels, 13 authors and titles emerged, with four debut authors standing out, one of them being Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ from Nigeria, whose novel A Spell of Good Things intertwines the fate of two families and describes how political failures affect their lives and lead to a personal tragedy.
The jury described the work as a “powerful and impressive read”, highlighting its exceptional storytelling and compelling examination of social dynamics. Ayòbámi is the fifth Nigerian novelist to be nominated for the Booker Prize and would be the second Nigerian winner, after Ben Okri.
The shortlist will be announced on 21 September, which will feature six works. The final winner will be revealed on 26 November.Ayòbámi Adébáyò made a name for herself with her novel, Stay with me, which has already been translated into Portuguese and was a finalist for the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction.
