Rushdie Receives Best of the Booker Award for Midnight's Children
Salman Rushdie was named winner of the Best of the Booker Award for Midnight's Children July 10. Midnight's Children won the Booker Prize in 1981 and was chosen as the Booker of Bookers in 1993 -- the only other time a celebratory prize has been awarded.
The Best of the Booker shortlist was selected by a panel of judges and a public poll. When voting closed July 8, more than 7,800 people had voted for the six shortlisted titles, with 36% voting for Midnight's Children. Thirty-seven percent of online votes were from the UK, followed by 27% from North America.
Rushdie, on tour in America with his latest novel, The Enchantress of Florence, sent his thanks via a pre-recorded message. His sons, Zafar and Milan, were in attendance at the award ceremony at the Southbank Centre.
July 10, 2008