Booker Prize 1985: Complete list of winners

The 1985 Booker Prize for Fiction went to Keri Hulme for The Bone People, a landmark victory that introduced the literary world to one of New Zealand’s most distinctive voices. Hulme’s debut novel—a dense, poetic work that weaves together Māori mythology, family trauma, and the New Zealand landscape—stood out among that year’s contenders for its sheer originality and refusal to follow conventional narrative paths. The Booker Prize, Britain’s most prestigious annual literary award, has long championed ambitious, challenging fiction, and Hulme’s selection continued that tradition while also marking a significant moment for Pacific voices in the international literary canon.

What made Hulme’s victory particularly noteworthy was the novel’s unconventional structure and her willingness to write across genres—blending realism with magical elements, linguistic experimentation with deeply personal storytelling. The Bone People had already generated considerable buzz before winning the Booker, having been rejected by numerous publishers before finding a home. The prize cemented not only Hulme’s reputation but also signaled the Booker Prize’s commitment to recognizing work that challenged readers and expanded what fiction could achieve. For those following the Booker Prize winners through the 1980s, 1985 represents a pivotal year when the award embraced true literary innovation.

Below, explore the full details of this year’s Booker Prize selection and what made Keri Hulme’s triumph a turning point in contemporary fiction.

Fiction

• The Bone People by Keri Hulme