2021 Booker Prize Speculation Showing 51-100 of 1,196

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Just read the Flanagan book (due out in January) and its really very good indeed I think. Review to follow.

[WndyJW]

I would like to read this, I love Gould's Book of Fish: A Novel in Twelve Fish so much I ordered a second copy with plates of fish paintings.

[Nadine in California]

WndyJW wrote: "I would like to read this, I love Gould's Book of Fish: A Novel in Twelve Fish so much I ordered a second copy with plates of fish paintings."

My thoughts exactly. The combo of Flanagan and oceans is irresistible to me.

[Neil]

I am quite excited that the Flanagan is my next book up. Currently reading the (not Booker eligible) Natural History which is fantastic, so hoping for a good double-header!

[Paul]

I've forced myself to read my other Netgalley book first from a discipline perspective but this is next on the TBR pile (well I say pile but two books), unless the Goldsmiths shocks us all by actually producing a shortlist this week

Gould's Book of Fish was presentationally wonderful - I loved the different ink colours for the font - sepia for cuttlefish ink, purple from crushed sea-urchin shell etc.

And yes Natural History is quite brilliant.

[Areeb]

I recently decided to read everything translated by Megan McDowell because she is amazing and I admire her translations a lot. I am currently three authors and five books down. Natural History looked so fascinating that I took a chance and asked FSG for a review copy. They said sending a physical one won't be possible citing the pandemic and postal service hiccups (weird cause I have been getting US bookmail) and sent me an e-copy in lieu of it. I really dislike reading from ebooks and this year has made me hate them even more. But now, after both of you endorse it, I am tempted to put my dislike on the side and go for it.

[Areeb]

Also, I see a new Jeanette Winterson doing the rounds on Twitter - The Daylight Gate. Is it a reissue? I checked Goodreads and it shows a publication of 2012/2013.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Nadine wrote: The combo of Flanagan and oceans is irresistible to me..."

Not sure I would describe the book as much about oceans - but then you could describe it as about a lot of stuff: animal extinctions, bushfires, generational relationships and differences, job based relocation away from your family, society attitudes to both middle age and end of life, religious/school community abuse, modern medical care, social media, Jewish safe havens, migratory patterns ……….. just to pick a few

My review for anyone interested (its not the kind of book you can spoil)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[WndyJW]

I loved The Daylight Gate! It’s a perfect Halloween book about the family of witches in 1605 Lancashire. My copy was published in 2012.

[Areeb]

WndyJW wrote: "I loved The Daylight Gate! It’s a perfect Halloween book about the family of witches in 1605 Lancashire. My copy was published in 2012."


I checked the Penguin UK site which shows a version out in 2012 as well. They must be reissuing it through Windmill Books, out on 15th October.

[WndyJW]

I hope you can get it in India easily.

[Areeb]

The Winterson should become available. Getting books in India, especially new ones, especially especially only UK/US release ones, is a constant headache. It has only gotten worse after I started blogging. I either have to rely on publisher copies or the kindness of friends overseas. The bookstores here are pretty good and stock a lot of stuff. Plus, they are happy to order for you. Otherwise, I am helpless. I definitely cannot afford costly imports, or indie press subscriptions, as a student. I am very likely to lose control and go overboard once I am finally hopefully employed in a few years.

(As you all may notice, I tend to go on tangents and I am quite voluble).

[WndyJW]

You do have a Seagull Press in India. It’s looks like a good publisher.

https://www.seagullbooks.org/

[Areeb]

WndyJW wrote: "You do have a Seagull Press in India. It’s looks like a good publisher.

https://www.seagullbooks.org/"

Seagull is absolutely brilliant, Wendy! I love them loads. Their global literature catalogue, especially in translation, is to die for. And such gorgeously produced books too. They have been sending me review copies these last few months and it has been great. I didn't see them in the Presses folder so I would love to see them added there. Can normal members make a thread? I am happy to do it.

[Hugh, Active moderator]

Areeb wrote: "Can normal members make a thread? I am happy to do it. "

Yes - feel free to start one!

[Areeb]

Hugh wrote: "Areeb wrote: "Can normal members make a thread? I am happy to do it. "

Yes - feel free to start one!"

Great, Hugh! I will get to it soon. Will add a few other brilliant Indian indie presses as well.

[Areeb]

I have some probable books in mind.

The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr. is getting a lot of good press. It's a debut literary fiction novel which comes out in the UK in January from Quercus. I am expecting an ARC so let's see how I find it.

Sarah Winman is also supposed to have a new, as yet untitled, book out the middle of next year through 4th Estate. But the announcement was made pre-covid so I don't know where things stand now. I don't remember seeing updates on her social media.

Guy Gunaratne also recently submitted a draft of his second book, The Lives of Yahya Bas, to his agent and editor. I don't think it will release in time for the Booker next year though. Maybe in 2022? Here is what he has to say about it.

Four and some years sat alone listening to Yahya Bas tell me his life story. The lunatic. So a strange feeling now to have others read it with me.

The Lives of Yahya Bas (maybe the title) is a picaresque that draws on bodies, unbelonging, Arabic poetry, national myth, internet hate speech, Bertolt Brecht, Nicolas Bourriaud, Fred Moten, Jack Halberstam, Paul B. Preciado, Sadallah Wannous, Sarah Kane, Kathy Acker and Isabelle Eberhardt. Set in London, Syria, Berlin as well as the uncountry in between. A story of a life lived in refusal.

[WndyJW]

The Lives of Yayha Bas sounds great!

I really liked Tin Man, I’m looking forward to another Sarah Winman book.

[Robert]

Just found out max porter has a new one in January

[Areeb]

WndyJW wrote: "The Lives of Yayha Bas sounds great!

I really liked Tin Man, I’m looking forward to another Sarah Winman book."

Tin Man is one of my favourite novels ever! I reread it at least once or twice every year. I completely accidentally discovered it back in 2018 and bought it on a sudden impulse (like all great book purchases).

[Areeb]

Robert wrote: "Just found out max porter has a new one in January"

Oooh. I didn't know this. I figured everyone would be buzzing about a new Max Porter (whose writing, unfortunately, doesn't work for me at all).

[Nadine in California]

Areeb wrote: "Robert wrote: "Just found out max porter has a new one in January"

Oooh. I didn't know this. I figured everyone would be buzzing about a new Max Porter (whose writing, unfortunately, doesn't work ..."

For me, Grief was a big no and Lanny was a big yes. You just never know.....

[Paul]

That is exciting as Grief Is and Lanny were both magnificent. Although at 80 pages it may well not be regarded as Booker eligible.

[Areeb]

Deborah Levy should have a new book out next year! The final draft was just submitted to Hamish Hamilton. It is the third (and final, I think) instalment of her Living Autobiography series though so not Booker eligible.

[Cindy]

Areeb wrote: "WndyJW wrote: "The Lives of Yayha Bas sounds great!

I really liked Tin Man, I’m looking forward to another Sarah Winman book."

Tin Man is one of my favourite novels ever! I rerea..."

Same! I don't remember how I found it, but I was stunned by its beauty. Really looking forward to a new novel from Winman (and from Max Porter as well).

[WndyJW]

I’m with Nadine-loved, loved loved Lanny, only liked Grief is a Thing...

Some good books to look forward to next year. I’m done with the Booker so probably won’t read This Mournable Body, I’ll mix some spooky books in with The Goldsmiths, then spend the rest of Nov, Dec reading books I have and try really, really, really hard not to buy any more books so I can make some headway on my infinite because constantly replenished TBR.

[Emmeline]

WndyJW wrote: "I’m with Nadine-loved, loved loved Lanny, only liked Grief is a Thing...

Some good books to look forward to next year. I’m done with the Booker so probably won’t read This Mournable Body, I’ll mix..."

I adored Grief is the Thing, really liked Lanny, and would probably read Max Porter's shopping list at this point.

[WndyJW]

Me too.

[Paul]

A 2021 contender? - as well as a contender for longest gap between novels?

Nobel prize winner Wole Soyinka to publish his first novel since 1973

https://www.theguardian.com/books/202...

[Robert]

Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi's The First Woman HAS to be shortlisted. It will be a crime if it isn't

In fact I will declare right now that this will win the 2021 Women's Prize for Fiction

[Paul]

I do sometimes worry that books at the start of the eligibility list get overlooked as the buzz has moved on, and the Booker judges in particular do seem instead to like books they've been the first to read. And this one is October 1st publication.

That said it does look very interesting - and the author and Evaristo did a Southbank show together last week https://bookishbeck.wordpress.com/201... which rather supports your Women's Prize prediction

[Paul]

“We're delighted to announce the judges of the 2021 Booker Prize. The panel will be chaired by historian Maya Jasanoff, and consists of: writer and editor Horatia Harrod; actor Natascha McElhone; twice Booker-shortlisted novelist and professor Chigozie Obioma; and writer and former Archbishop Rowan Williams.”

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

That looks a very distinguished panel.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Two books I know Rowan Williams loved both fail to be eligible as published in September 2020 - Jack and Piranesi.

[Hugh, Active moderator]

Rowan Williams has also written about Dostoyevsky, so he is an interesting choice.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Based on the judges while bearing in mind the difficulty of the publication date (pretty well the last possible date to be eligible) here is my tip for the shortlist

https://www.thebookseller.com/news/bl...

[Robert]

I can definitely see that being longlisted

[Paul]

Yes looks a good tip and the Booker loves books that are published late in their cycle.

[Paul]

Agreed indeed I tipped it earlier on the thread but these judges make it even more likely

[WndyJW]

How could they not, at the very least, Longlist a Nobel winner?

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Two Nobel winners on the shortlist perhaps?

[WndyJW]

Who else?

[WndyJW]

The Living Sea of Waking Dreams should be eligible for 2021 Booker, right? I liked it while reading it, but since finishing it a few days ago I cannot stop thinking about it. I would urge those who were unimpressed with The Narrow Road to the Deep North to read this anyway. I haven’t read The Narrow Road..., but this was as good as Gould's Book of Fish: A Novel in Twelve Fish.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Ishiguro

I loved that book too - the Flanagan and know John felt the same - but neither Paul or Neil were impressed.

[WndyJW]

Ah, right, Ishiguro! I think his next book is due for March release, if I remember correctly.

If I had written about The Living Sea while reading it I don’t think I would have disagreed with Paul and Neil, it was understated, but now I think that is to its credit. Flanagan addressed climate change, destruction of the natural world, including the very recent international news of Australia burning, end of life decisions, women’s issues, class issues, sibling relationships, motherhood, and the opiate of the masses-social media without hitting us over the head with any of one of those important issues. I am always drawn in by well drawn characters and Anna and Francie came alive for me, Tommy and Terzo as well to a slightly lesser extent.
Compared to The New Wilderness and I’m guessing Dopamine City based on comments here, Flanagan does a much better job of making us look at what we are doing to ourselves and our planet without shouting about it.

[Robert]

New Jon Mcgregor - Lean Fall Stand. Out on 29th April

[Hugh, Active moderator]

Robert wrote: "New Jon Mcgregor - Lean Fall Stand. Out on 29th April"
That will definitely be a contender unless he does an Ali Smith and rules himself out,

[Areeb]

Galley Beggar just tweeted that the Booker Prize Foundation has waived the contribution from publishers of shortlisted book as well as the winner in 2020 because of the pandemic. The Foundation has also said that it is removing it altogether from next year in a bid to level the playing field for small and independent publishers.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Great and I think there are a few in this group who played a tiny part by moaning about this on twitter over the years. Time to lobby The Women’s Prize now.

[Paul]

The Living Sea is impressively ambitious and topical, but I thought it was an incoherent mess, the author seemed to have little attention span to several of his themes (as an example, the waking dreams themselves).

But it would deserve to be on the longlist I think.