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Historical Fiction· United Kingdom

Sacred Hunger

by Barry Unsworth
Aggregate Editorial Score74/100
★Booker Prize
Published 1992629 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Few works of historical fiction have earned the sustained critical attention that Sacred Hunger (1992) by Barry Unsworth continues to receive. A Liverpool merchant's ship sets sail for West Africa and the Americas in the eighteenth century in this epic shared Booker Prize winner. Unsworth's novel is a devastating moral account of the slave trade, told with extraordinary historical detail and novelistic power. Themes of slave trade, colonialism, morality run through the work. The book has received recognition from Booker Prize 1992.

Book Details

AuthorBarry Unsworth
Published1992
Country of Origin🇬🇧 United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Pages629
Category🗺️ Historical Fiction
ISBN9780393309850
Editorial Score74/100
About the Category

🗺️ Historical Fiction

Novels set in the past, blending real events with fictional narratives.

Explore all Historical Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

This book is part of United Kingdom's rich literary tradition.

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Editorial Assessment

First published in 1992, Barry Unsworth's Sacred Hunger is a work of historical fiction that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with slave trade, colonialism, morality, the sea gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre. The book's place in the literary record rests on its presence across major prize lists and critical surveys. Among its recognitions: Booker Prize 1992. Its aggregate editorial score of 74/100 reflects recognition from 1 independent editorial sources, from international prizes to specialist critical journals. What distinguishes Sacred Hunger is how it handles its central concerns — slave trade, colonialism, morality, the sea — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Sacred Hunger reflects Barry Unsworth's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with United Kingdom's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Booker Prize
winner · global
199266
✍️
About the Author
Barry Unsworth
United Kingdom
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Barry Unsworth is a celebrated author from United Kingdom known for influential works of historical fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sacred Hunger about?

A Liverpool merchant's ship sets sail for West Africa and the Americas in the eighteenth century in this epic shared Booker Prize winner. Unsworth's novel is a devastating moral account of the slave trade, told with extraordinary historical detail and novelistic power.

Who wrote Sacred Hunger?

Sacred Hunger was written by Barry Unsworth, from United Kingdom. First published in 1992.

What awards has Sacred Hunger won?

Sacred Hunger has received the following awards and honours: Booker Prize 1992.

Is Sacred Hunger worth reading?

Sacred Hunger is a well-regarded book with solid critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 66/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in slave trade, colonialism, morality.

Where can I buy Sacred Hunger?

You can buy Sacred Hunger on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Sacred Hunger?

Sacred Hunger is classified as Historical Fiction. Novels set in the past, blending real events with fictional narratives.

What country is Sacred Hunger from?

Sacred Hunger originates from United Kingdom's literary tradition. Explore more books from United Kingdom on our country page.

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