Harrison, 81, takes 2026 Booker Prize for debut-shortlisted novel
Author M. John Harrison, 81, has won the 2026 Booker Prize for his novel The End of Everything, a satirical dystopia set on a near-future Kent coast. The award, worth £50,000 and a trophy named Iris, was presented at a ceremony in London on 10 November. The judging panel, chaired by historian Mary Beard, chose the book unanimously. Harrison is the oldest winner in the prize's history and the first writer from the science-fiction community to receive it. The win marks his first Booker shortlisting after a writing career of about 60 years.
Key facts
- The trophy is named Iris, presented alongside the £50,000 cash award.
- The novel has 198 pages, according to Straits Times and Asharq Al-Awsat reports.
- Beard praised the book for its unexpected optimism.
Summarised with AI from 5 sources · Updated 16:41Read our AI policy
Why it matters
The award gives a major mainstream literary prize to a veteran writer rooted in science fiction.
What changed
Summary updated
First published from ABC News (Australia), The Guardian, BBC News, The Hindu and Euronews