While literary prizes and gambling seem wholly different pursuits, the two meld together nicely when English bookies take bets on the Booker winner. Yes, that’s right; you can place a bet on the Booker winner like you would a horse. From this year’s diverse shortlist, Jim Crace’s Harvest appears to have locked the frontrunner position with the betting house Ladbrokes putting its odds at 5-2.
So how exactly are odds of a Booker nominee determined? In a recent article in the The Atlantic, it was revealed that “critical reception” of a title is most important in determining its chances of receiving the prize. We’ll have to wait until October 15th to see if the bookies have indeed chosen the correct winner. Since it started taking bets on the prize, Ladbrokes has been right thirty percent of the time - not bad! Do you think Jim Crace is a shoe in? If not, which nominee are you betting on taking home the prize?
Harvest by Jim Crace 5-2 odds
The Testament of Mary by Colm Toibin 7-2 odds
The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton 4-1 odds
A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki 5-1 odds
We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo 6-1 odds
The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri 6-1 odds
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