Booker Prize judge hails ‘wonderful surprise’ of five women among shortlist

Sara Collins said the books ‘rose to the top on merit’ (Tom Pilston for Booker Prize Foundation/PA)

Casey Cooper-Fiske

Booker Prize judge Sara Collins has said this year’s shortlist which features the most women in its 55-year history is a “wonderful, genuine surprise”.

Collins, who is best known for writing The Confessions Of Frannie Langton, said the “tremendous” nominated books written by the five women “rose to the top on merit”.