War, social media, racism explored in 2021 Booker prize shortlist

The six novels shortlisted from 158 works are by Sri Lankan author Anuk Arudpragasam, South African playwright and novelist Damon Galgut, British-Somali novelist Nadifa Mohamed and US writers Patricia Lockwood, Richard Powers and Maggie Shipstead. Photo: Booker

The trauma of Sri Lanka's civil war, apartheid in South Africa, racial injustice, and the "absurdities" of social media are explored in the six books shortlisted on Sept 14 for the 2021 Booker Prize.

The prestigious literary prize is open to works of fiction by writers of any nationality, written in English and published in Britain or Ireland between Oct 1, 2020 and Sept 30, 2021.