• The Hub

    News, Notes, Talk

    You can call the Booker Prize trophy ‘Iris.’

    Janet Manley
    By 
    March 30, 2023, 8:37am

    Not for the Goo Goo Dolls song, but rather for Iris Murdoch, who won the Booker Prize in 1978 for The Sea, The Sea and earned six additional nominations as she published 26 more novels.

    The quest to rename the trophy, the first iteration of which was designed by Meg and Mog creator Jan Pieńkowski, involved a democratic vote by anyone who wanted to participate. The names that made the shortlist were all, frankly, very good, inspired by literature and the kind of thing you’d feel good about carrying about: Bernie, Beryl, Iris, Minerva, Janina and Calliope.

    After 800 votes, the Booker Prize Foundation has announced the new Pieńkowski facscimile given to future winners shall be named “Iris.” Use it! (“I just want you to know who I am.”)

    ETA: We’re not saying we were the reason Iris won, but we (and you) may have been the reason Iris won.

    Iris Murdoch Jan Pieńkowski literary prizes the Booker Prize

    • Become a Lit Hub Supporting Member: Because Books Matter

    For the past decade, Literary Hub has brought you the best of the book world for free—no paywall. But our future relies on you. In return for a donation, you’ll get an ad-free reading experience, exclusive editors’ picks, book giveaways, and our coveted Joan Didion Lit Hub tote bag. Most importantly, you’ll keep independent book coverage alive and thriving on the internet.

    Become a member for as low as $5/month

    Dismiss without supporting Lit Hub
    x