Douglas Stuart joins Booker Prize shortlist with new novel John of John

Douglas Stuart, the Glasgow-born novelist who captured the 2020 Booker Prize for Shuggie Bain, has been named to the 2026 Booker shortlist for his third book, John of John. The novel, researched on the Isle of Harris, tells the story of Cal’s homecoming against a backdrop of concealed desire, family secrets and fervent religiosity. The "Booker Six" also features Marlon James’s The Disappearers, M John Harrison’s The End Of Everything, Luke Kennard’s Black Bag, Rebecca Perry’s May We Feed The King and Elizabeth Strout’s The Things We Never Say.

A win would place Stuart among the exclusive group of authors who have won the prize twice. The shortlist was selected by a panel chaired by Mary Beard, with judges including Raymond Antrobus, Jarvis Cocker, Rebecca Liu and Patricia Lockwood. The winner will be announced on November 9 in London, receiving £50,000 and the Iris trophy.