Shortlist Selection

Man Booker Prize 2011 Shortlist Odds

Is it to be Julian Barnes year? The bookies think so.

6 September 2011

Julian Barnes' The Sense of an Ending is the 13/8 favourite for the Man Booker Prize according to Ladbrokes, and 6/4 favourite with William Hill.

Carol Birch (Jamrach's Menagerie) & A.D.Miller (Snowdrops) are the joint 7/2 second favourites with Ladbrokes, whereas William Hill has Birch slightly ahead with 7/2 and Miller 5/1. Ladbrokes has Stephen Kelman's Pigeon English as a 9/2 chance, while William Hill has him as 6/1, alongside Esi Edugyan. Ladbrokes has the Canadian slightly further behind on 13/2, with Patrick de Witt as the 8/1 outsider. William Hill has the Sisters Brothers author at 7/1.

Alex Donohue of Ladbrokes said, "No-one was shocked to learn Barnes is the hot favourite for the prize. The favourites have had a tough time historically and we wouldn't be surprised to see a shock result. Barnes is far from home and hosed."

William Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe stated, "Our literary punters think that this may be the year for Barnes to finally come good and this is backed up by the fact that the Judges at the announcement suggested it was Barnes' best work to date."

2011 Man Booker Prize winner

Ladbrokes latest betting

Julian Barnes, The Sense of an Ending - 13/8
Carol Birch, Jamrach's Menagerie - 7/2
AD Miller, Snowdrops - 7/2
Stephen Kelman, Pigeon English - 9/2
Esi Edugyan, Half Blood Blues - 13/2
Patrick de Witt, The Sisters Brothers - 8/1

William Hill latest betting

Julian Barnes, The Sense of an Ending - 6/4
Carol Birch, Jamrach's Menagerie - 7/2
AD Miller, Snowdrops - 5/1
Esi Edugyan, Half Blood Blues - 6/1
Stephen Kelman, Pigeon English - 6/1
Patrick de Witt, The Sisters Brothers - 7/1

The Man Booker Prize Fiction at its finest