Show Notes
In 2014, the Booker Prize broadened its submission rules to allow books from any nationality, as long as they were written in English and published in the UK. This change in eligibility led to worries around whether American novels would dominate the award's nominations, but it wasn't until 2016 when Paul Beatty scooped the prize with The Sellout that the prize went to an author from the States. The Sellout is a biting satire on race relations told through its protagonist, who is on trial for trying to reinstate slavery and segregation – and this week on the podcast, we're revisiting the story.
In this episode Jo and James:
Consider what the inclusion of American authors and novels has meant for the Booker Prize
Share a brief biography of Paul Beatty
Give a slightly spoiler-y summary of The Sellout
Discuss whether the novel is an on-point laugh-a-minute satire or a relentlessly nihilistic trudge
Try to get to the bottom of what Paul Beatty is trying to say through this novel
Chat about whether the question of who something is for can really be answered authentically
Suggest who should read The Sellout
Reading list:
The White Boy Shuffle
Tuff
Hokum: An Anthology of African-American Humor
Slumberland
The Sellout
Further resources:
Paul Beatty's 2016 Booker Prize acceptance speech
Dear Britain, please take your Booker Prize back home by Ron Charles for The Washington Post
A full transcript of the episode is available at our website.
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