Macalester professor Marlon James wins the Man Booker Prize for his novel “A Brief History of Seven Killings”

St. Paul, Minn. – Macalester professor Marlon James has won the Man Booker Prize for Fiction, considered the most prestigious prize in literature, for his book A Brief History of Seven Killings. James is the first writer from Jamaica to win in the prize’s 47-year history.

The Man Booker Prize promotes the finest in fiction by rewarding the very best book of the year. The prize is the world’s most important literary award and has the power to transform the fortunes of authors and publishers.

“This is an extraordinary moment for Marlon and for Macalester as well,” said President Brian Rosenberg. “We are exceptionally proud of him, and I know the entire Macalester community joins me in wishing Marlon a heartfelt congratulations.”

Salman Rushdie, who won the literature prize in 1981 for Midnight’s Children and was awarded the “Booker of Bookers” on its 25th anniversary, said in an article in The Telegraph, “I haven’t read all the books on the list this year, but I’m really pleased for instance that Marlon James is there because I think it’s a really extraordinary book.”

To maintain the consistent excellence of the Man Booker Prize, judges are chosen from a wide range of disciplines, including critics, writers and academics, but also poets, politicians and actors, all with a passion for quality fiction.

The winner of the Man Booker Prize receives a cash prize and a designer bound copy of their book.

Macalester College, founded in 1874, is a national liberal arts college with a full-time enrollment of 2,138 students. Macalester is nationally recognized for its long-standing commitment to academic excellence, internationalism, multiculturalism, and civic engagement. Learn more at macalester.edu.