Man Booker Prize Announces Shortlist

It looks like a good year for debut novelists. The six books that made the 2012 Man Booker Prize shortlist were announced on Tuesday, and two are by first-time novelists. A panel of judges chose to include The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng, Swimming Home by Deborah Levy, Bring up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel, The Lighthouse by Alison Moore, Umbrella by Will Self, and Narcopolis by Jeet Thayil. Hilary Mantel is being considered an early favorite after Wolf Hall won the Booker in 2009, although no British writer has won the prestigious award twice. Peter Stothard, who chaired the judging committee, said each book stood out for its "pure power of prose." The winner will be announced Oct. 16