Downpatrick Library is staging its very own Booker Prize night on Wednesday 17 October. On the same night that the worlds most famous literary prize is presented in full view of the worlds media, Downpatrick residents will have the rare opportunity to hear some of the districts best literary commentators expound on their personal favourites from the Booker shortlist.At the conclusion of the evening the thoughts of the local pundits will be matched against the adjudication of the Booker panel proper, as the library has installed a large screen television to broadcast the deliberations and decision of the national judges.The Downpatrick panel is the Belfast telegraphs Grania McFadden; Arts Officer with Down Council, Cathie McKimm; David Torrans of No Alibis bookshop, Belfast and the librarys own Geraldine Duffin, Senior Stock Librarian at Library Headquarters in Ballynahinch. Geraldine is responsible for the selection and purchasing of the library services books.Kevin Quinn, Culture Librarian based at Downpatrick, who will double as master of ceremonies for the evening, recalls a similar event two years ago:Our last Booker evening in 1999 was a resounding success. A packed house heard a discerning and lively panel give their views and pick their winners from the shortlist. We then played back the televised proceedings on the big screen. The 1999 winner was J M Coetzees Disgrace which was also the Downpatrick panels choice. This year we have assembled a really sparkling panel; the audience should be in for a literary treat.The bookies 2001 favourites are two former winners: Ian McEwan with Atonement and Peter Carey with True History of the Kelly Gang, both quoted at odds of 5 to 2.Everyone is welcome to the evening; admission is free and refreshments will be served. Notes The Booker Prize was established by Booker plc in 1968. The prize aims to reward the best novel of the year, the judges being selected from the countrys leading critics. This years winner will be the 33rd person to scoop the prize of £21,000.This years shortlist is: True History of the Kelly Gang, Peter Carey; Atonement, Ian McEwan; Oxygen, Andrew Miller; number9dream, David Mitchell; The Dark Room, Rachel Seiffert; Hotel World, Ali Smith.This years judging panel is chaired by Kenneth Baker, Lord Baker of Dorking and comprises novelist and critic, Philip Hensher; novelist and poet, Michele Roberts; Kate Summerscale, biographer and Literary Editor of the Daily Telegraph and Professor Rory Watson, academic and writer.
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