YvonneThe Lost Man Booker Prize, was a ‘one-off’ award, the winner being announced in May 2010.
The award was the culmination of events, which resulted in fiction authors of 1970, missing out on being recognised and nominated for a Booker Prize, in that year.
The presentation of The Booker Prize, was moved from April to November, which together with the prize ceasing to be awarded retrospectively, but switching to recognise the best novel in the year of publication, caused the ensuing chaos, which has taken 40 years to reach a conclusion.
Sadly, after such a long period of time, the prize has had to be awarded posthumously, to Liverpool born author J.G. (Jim) Farrell, for his novel ‘Troubles’. This was the first book in the ‘Empire Trilogy’ which dealt with the political and human consequences of British Colonial Rule.
Ironically, the second book in the series ‘The Siege Of Krishnapur’, had already laid claim to The Booker Prize of 1973, which happily was within the author’s lifetime.
The third book in the trilogy was titled ‘The Singapore Grip’.
“Finding” The Lost Booker Prize, meant that J.G. Farrell, was one of only three writers to date, to win The Booker Prize, twice.
Synopsis Of: ‘Troubles’
Major Brendan Archer travels to Ireland – to the Majestic Hotel and to the fiancee he acquired on a rash afternoon’s leave three years ago. Despite her many letters, the lady herself proves elusive, and the Major’s engagement is short-lived. But he is unable to detach himself from the alluring discomforts of the crumbling hotel. Ensconced in the dim and shabby splendour of the Palm Court, surrounded by gently decaying old ladies and proliferating cats, the Major passes the summer. So hypnotic are the faded charms of the Majestic, the Major is almost unaware of the gathering storm. But this is Ireland in 1919 – and the struggle for independence is about to explode with brutal force.
Brief author Bio.
J.G. (James, Gordon) Farrell, was of Anglo-Irish descent, growing up in both England and Ireland. He was educated in England, but returned to Dublin to teach.
He later returned to Brasenose College, Oxford, where, as well as achieving a Third Degree Honours in modern languages, he also contracted Polio. This was as the result of a minor Rugby injury, almost causing his death and leaving him in a permanently weakened state.
He continued to live in squalid surroundings, in Notting Hill, London, where he did all of his writing. He had a steady stream of girl friends, but often complained of being alone and lonely. After receiving his Booker Prize, for ‘The Siege Of Krishnapur’, in 1973, he once again returned to Ireland.
It was here, in 1979, that he died in a drowning accident, whilst fishing.
Whilst in an interview with George Brock, for ‘The Observer Magazine’, Farrell has been attributed as saying:
“that the really interesting thing that’s happened during my lifetime has been the decline of the British Empire.”
