On November 9, 2026, M. John Harrison was named the winner of the 2026 Booker Prize for his novel 'The End of Everything', making him the oldest recipient of the prize at 81 years old. This record surpassed Margaret Atwood, who previously won the award for 'The Testaments' at the age of 79 in 2019. The ceremony took place on the same date at London's Old Billingsgate, a venue chosen for its historical significance as the site of a former fish market.
Harrison received a prize of £50,000, which converts to $67,000 USD. The setting provided a stark contrast to the subject matter of the winning book, a post-apocalyptic thriller and satire set in the coastal town of Dalston-on-Sea during an occupation by mysterious lifeforms.
The judging panel, chaired by historian Mary Beard and including writers Raymond Antrobus, Patricia Lockwood, critic Rebecca Liu, and musician Jarvis Cocker, praised the book for its originality and ability to turn readers 'upside down' while leaving a twinge of optimism.
John Harrison is the first Booker winner to have emerged from the bona fide SF world.
Harrison's win is considered a rare recognition for science fiction. Gaby Wood noted that many past Booker Prize authors have borrowed facets of science fiction in their work, but M. John Harrison is the first Booker winner to have emerged from the bona fide SF world.
The path to the podium was rigorous, with Harrison beating out five other finalists from a field of 163 initial submissions narrowed to a 13-book longlist and six finalists.