11 September 2017
Reactions to the shortlist have been mixed, with many remarking on the notable absence of Colson Whitehead's serial prize-winner The Underground Railroad (Fleet). Waterstones buyer Chris White said it "ranks among the biggest shocks I've witnessed", adding, "we may see this as the one which got away". Meanwhile Ladbrokes' Matthew Shadwick called it "quite a surprising list from the bookies' point of view, especially as the favourite and best-backed runner (Colson Whitehead) failed to make the final cut". "As a result it's a completely wide open race," he said.
