Why we chose The Four Books

We collected 11 data points (the categories on the main page) on all of the previous winners, the shortlist this year as well as previous losers. By feeding this information in to a machine-reading algorithm, we were able to use previous winners to 'train' the algorithm as to exactly what a winning Man Booker Prize novel looks like. As a result of the algorithm using neural networks, it was able to weight different data points - working out what was important to the winning books and what was not. Once the algorithm was trained, the shortlist for this year was run through, and each book scored on its likelihood of winning. By a landslide, The Four Books came first.

Synopsis

Split into four narratives, The Four Books, tells the story of the Author, Musician, Scholar, Theologian and Technician; all nameless faces part of an abhorrent labour camp in the 99th district. Under the rule of the immature and tyrannical leader, the Child, these intellectuals find themselves part of a re-education programme, where manual labour under constant monitoring is part of everyday life. In order to obtain their freedom, the inmates are to put in full effort in their tasks, be obedient and inform on each other. If awarded enough small red blossoms, they will see their families again.

Banned in China for its controversial content, Yan Lianke dives into China’s dark past under Mao’s reign and the season of ‘The Great Leap Forward’ through surreal and symbolic storytelling that creates a truly daring novel.