@thetimes: Spanning nearly two decades from late-1980s Kingston to the mid-2000s, The Disappearers is Marlon James’ most personal novel to date. It was, he says, born from a desire to reclaim “the story I was not allowed to live” as a closeted young gay man in Jamaica. The book opens in 1988 as eight men assemble to rehearse a play, unaware that an armed mob is about to ambush them. Inspired by an unconfirmed rumour from his youth about an attack on an early gay safe space, James crafts a sprawling narrative about the long aftermath of trauma and survival. Since the Booker Prize shortlist was announced, you may have been wondering which of this year’s finalists you would actually want to read. Over the next five weeks The Times and The Sunday Times is doing something completely new: giving subscribers the chance to find out for themselves. In the run-up to the winner being announced on November 9, we will publish opening extracts from all six shortlisted novels, allowing you to get a flavour of all the novels before the final decision. *for news purposes* #BookTok #reading #book #booker #review

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Friday 09 October 2026 12:09:24 GMT