Novels by Samantha Harvey, Charlotte Wood, Yael van der Wouden and Percival Everett also feature on the shortlist, which was announced at an event held at Somerset House in London last night.
Judging chair Edmund de Waal, an artist and author, said that, while the shortlisted titles reveal the "faultlines of our times", they are not "books about issues".
Harvey, the only British writer to make the shortlist, was selected for Orbital, which follows six astronauts onboard the International Space Station across the course of a day. Harvey "takes on the imaginative athletics of finding language for this optical feasting and metaphysical reflection" in a book that "offers vehement appreciation of the world", Alexandra Harris wrote in her Guardian review.
The winner of the prize - which honours the best work of English fiction by authors of any nationality and published in the UK and/or Ireland will be announced on 12 November.
They will receive £50,000. Each shortlisted writer receives £2,500.
Many of the shortlisted books have strong historical elements. Everett, the American author of more than 20 novels, was chosen for James, a retelling of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn told from the perspective of the enslaved Jim.
This story is from the September 17, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 17, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Consumer champions
BT has left my father, 80, with no phone for months.
Money hacks How to save a bundle on children's clothes
Charity shops can be a goldmine for bargains - use the Charity Retail Association's online search page to find ones that stock children's clothes, or in London, head to one of FARA's 14 stores that specialise in kids' clothes.
University students Why are tuition fees going up and who does it affect?
The government has announced fees in England will rise to £9,535 in 2025. Shane Hickey gives you the lowdown on the changes
British Airways owner IAG's profits up 15%
Strong demand for transatlantic travel has bolstered the profits of International Airlines Group, the owner of British Airways, with the UK national carrier outperforming rivals despite widespread European flight delays.
Taking the plunge Seven date ideas that won't break the bank
You certainly don't need to spend a fortune to have a fun and romantic time, whether it's your first date or the 101st.
The price of love How much does dating cost - and who pays the bill?
Hinge+ costs £14.99 for a week, £24.99 for one month, £49.99 for three months and £74.99 for six months. One week of HingeX costs £24.99, a month is £44.99, three months £89.99 and six months comes in at £129.99.
China offers £646bn to local government but balks at big stimulus
China has announced 10tn yuan in debt support for local governments and other economic measures, but stopped short of a \"bazooka\" stimulus package many analysts expected.
Secret diary of TV freelancer Brutal hours, fear, panic - and finally a kick in the teeth
An anonymous producer writes about their experiences of the brutal hours, low budgets and high stress of television production
Shares plunge for housebuilder Vistry after new profit warning
Shares in the FTSE 100 housebuilder Vistry have plunged after it issued a second profit warning in as many months and said cost overruns on building projects were worse than previously thought.
Families may get post office compensation, says minister
The postal minister has said that family members and employees of post office branch owners who have not been eligible to make claims over the Horizon IT scandal may be allowed to apply for compensation.
