Three almost same name titles in the longlist

The Politician’s Daughter.

The Politician’s Wife.

The Politician’s Mistress.

Yes, these are three titles from the Man Booker Prize longlist just announced.

When I was checking the list, I was surprised and a bit amused by the coincidence and almost sameness of the titles. How could it happen?

Of course, they are not by the same author. Frankly, I’ve not and perhaps never will read any of them. But I’m curious about how these three authors get more or less the same title for their books. May be they think alike like our proverbial great men, in these strange times. I presume they will deliver the same kind of gem or garbage in more or less the same way.

I’m actually complaining.

There were times when I watched out on titles and authors that used to be listed by Booker judges. I picked many of them for my reading list. I bought them for my personal library. But those times are gone.

Ever since Booker changed to Man Booker, things have drastically changed. They now list all kinds of fiction solely on the criteria of marketability, and are least bothered about the artistic quality of any work. There is practically no difference between cream and crap now.

I wonder if any of these “The Politician’s …” is going to bag the Man Booker Prize this year.