In 2008, to mark the 4Oth Anniversary of the prize, the 'Best of the Booker' prize was awarded.

A panel of judges was asked to select a shortlist of the best books to have won the prize in the previous four decades. For the first time in the prize’s history, the overall winner was selected by an online public vote. Salman Rushdie was named winner of the ‘Best of the Booker’ award for Midnight’s Children with 36 per cent of the votes.

Rushdie commented: ‘Marvellous news! I’m absolutely delighted and would like to thank all those readers around the world who voted for Midnight’s Children.’ Unable to be there in person, the winning author made an appearance via video and his sons collected the award on his behalf.

The Best of the Booker trophy

Winner

Midnight's Children
Prize winner

Shortlist

The Ghost Road
Prize winner
Oscar and Lucinda
Prize winner
Disgrace
Prize winner
The Siege of Krishnapur
Prize winner
The Conservationist
Prize winner