With the 2026 Booker Prize winner due to be announced on Monday, the betting markets have seen a significant shift in favour of Rebecca Perry's debut novel. William Hill reports that May We Feed the King has shortened to 7/2, sitting a close third in the overall odds source.
The Betting Market and Final Days
Marlon James’ The Disappearers remains the bookmaker's favourite at 2/1, representing roughly a 33% chance of victory. Scottish author Douglas Stuart has also shortened his odds to 5/2, leaving Perry as the other major mover in the market source.
This cut from 4/1 to 7/2 marks a notable surge for the London-based writer source. Crucially, Perry’s work stands alone as the only first novel on the six-book shortlist.
The Times Now notes this unique position just days before the final verdict is delivered source. The New York Times has also included Perry's novel in its readers' poll, which was updated on November 6, 2026 source.
Rebecca Perry's Debut and Critical Acclaim
The novel is built upon dual timelines, switching between the present day and the medieval court of a reluctant monarch. One narrative follows an obscure king, while the other focuses on a modern-day curator preparing his dining tables for public display source.
Melissa Harrison described the work in The Guardian as an ingenious novel that deliberately wrongfoots the reader at every turn source. Rebecca Perry is a London-based writer who has previously published two poetry collections alongside several pamphlets.
Her background in poetry is evident in her debut, which Waterstones head of books Bea Carvalho described as a delicious and dream-like tale steeped in curiosity and nostalgia source. With the award ceremony approaching, Perry's debut remains one of the most decorated first novels of its year.
For LuvemBooks' full verdict on the narrative's success, read our review link.
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