I've just heard that Alan Garner has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize, thereby becoming the oldest author ever to be so honoured – and surely one of the best. He is also the only British writer on this year's list, and his shortlisted book, Treacle Walker, is commendably brief, at just 15,000 words. If Garner wins, he'll be accepting the award on his 88th birthday. All of this strikes me as a rare bit of Booker-related good news.
Here's a rather remarkable picture of Garner in his younger days, endorsing a ginger ale...
I hadn't heard! Good news, indeed. Only this year I re-read my tatty childhood copy of "The Owl Service".
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