Zadie Smith keeps the money, spurns the beer

The Telegraph reports that stylish and articulate prize-winning novelist Zadie Smith (White Teeth, The Autograph Man, On Beauty) has launched a "blistering attack" on literary prizes. Most literary prizes were "only nominally" about literature, she said, adding:

"They are really about brand consolidation for beer companies, phone companies, coffee companies and even frozen food companies".

The IPKat is surprised that Ms Smith has taken so long to realise why it is that companies have been so happy so shower her, and her worthy authorial colleagues, with cash and fame. Merpel adds, I wonder how many avid readers of Ms Smith's works have even the faintest clue as to what the Man Booker brand represents.

Autograph Man here
Man Booker here