'These are books that readers will want to get their hands on,' the chair of judges, James Naughtie, said in a statement.

'The five Man Booker judges have settled on thirteen novels as the longlist for this year's prize. We believe it to be one of the strongest lists in recent memory, with two former winners, four past-shortlisted writers, three first-time novelists and a span of styles and themes that make this an outstandingly rich fictional mix.'

The jury considered more than 130 novels (including the work of nine former winners) and 'found ourselves travelling in a fertile landscape. We kept discovering new talent as well as reacquainting ourselves with familiar writers, and emerged with a feeling that we were part of an exceptional year.'

The short list will be announced Sep 8 and the winner Oct 6.