British writer M. John Harrison, 81, won the 2026 Booker Prize for Literary Prize for his novel “The End of Everything,” becoming the oldest winner in the award’s history. The novel depicts a bleak world in which Britain lives after a mysterious disaster, and in a satirical manner raises questions about artificial intelligence and the impact of technology on human lives.
Published on: 10/11/2026 - 04:41 Last updated: 10/11/2026 - 04:41
British writer M. John Harrison won the prestigious Booker Literary Prize on Monday for his novel The End of Everything, which blends science fiction and dark satire to depict Britain in a post-apocalyptic world.
By winning at the age of 81, Harrison became the oldest writer to receive the prize, which is worth 50,000 pounds sterling, or about 67,000 dollars.
Harrison beat out five shortlisted writers: Marlon James, Douglas Stewart, Elizabeth Strout, Luke Kennard and Rebecca Perry.
The chair of the jury, Mary Beard, praised the novel, considering that it distinguished itself “thanks to its brilliant and exceptional writing style, as well as its enormous ambition.”
A mysterious world after a disaster
The novel, which is Harrison's thirteenth work and is 198 pages long, tells the story of Philip Tennent, who spends his time beachcombing, and his aunt Marnie, who suffers from dementia, on the stormy coast of England.
Events begin to change with the appearance of mysterious objects known as the "I-Getty", before an unknown disaster pushes the two characters into a bleak world in which the European continent seems to have disappeared.
These mysterious creatures, capable of mimicking humans, raise questions about the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence.
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The novel also evokes Britain's exit from the European Union and the Covid-19 pandemic, in addition to the growing presence of technology in the details of daily life.
Harrison had previously explained that he was inspired by the global financial crisis of 2008, and through it he sought to address "society's inability to provide explanations" for the transformations and crises it faces.
Harrison's win was announced during a ceremony held Monday in London, where the Booker Prize is awarded annually for the best novel written in the English language and that meets the conditions for publication, regardless of the nationality of its author.
The award is considered one of the most prominent international literary awards, due to the fame it grants the winners and the increase in sales of their works.
France 24/AFP
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