2021 Booker Prize Speculation Showing 201-250 of 1,196

[Jo]

Faber and Faber have made it on to the Longlist a number of times the last few years and there seems to be quite a lot of publicity around one of their recent publications: This One Sky Day. It seems an original premise. Has anyone read it? Do you see it as a contender?

[Cindy]

Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "Cindy wrote: "I thought the Booker had a size limit the other way -- that the novel had to be "long form," meaning a certain number of words? No? Am I confusing it with something else?"

No you are..."

So it's a subjective test then???

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Worth saying that the first link on the thread has the Listopia - its worth both adding a few books there plus adding your own votes if you have read them - as this acts as a "wisdom of crowds" method of predicting the longlist.

[Neil]

Jo wrote: "Cindy wrote: "I thought the Booker had a size limit the other way -- that the novel had to be "long form," meaning a certain number of words? No? Am I confusing it with something else?"

Yes - that..."

I am really enjoying The Promise. The only other Galgut I have read is "In A Strange Room" which I gave 5 stars. I think you have to get used to his style as you read because he switches almost randomly from third to second or first person narration. I find this really effective, but it might annoy some people, I guess. I don't know much about South Africa, although I do remember the 1995 Rugby World Cup which features, and Nelson Mandela, in his Springboks shirt and cap, presenting the trophy to Pienaar.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

I read The Good Doctor many years back (2005) and was not that taken at the time from my review - but when I read it, it sounds like the sort of book I would more enjoy now

Book is written in simple, sparse language – and has a slightly haunting, disturbing effect emphasised by the sense of not quite understanding what is happening/being hinted at. Conveys a sense of underlying and profound change happening while equally on the surface little is altering. Clearly Frank’s life is meant to form some kind of allegory for post-apartheid South Africa. Frank himself seems unhappy and resentful of Lawrence (and much of the rest of his life) without really understanding why and this feeling transfers across to the reader who is left at the end unsettled and dissatisfied.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

I see that last book was 2003 shortlisted. Interesting year - a winner I have not read but many people love to hate (I don't think it fares well on the Booker rankings thread) - Vernon God Little, and 3 other shortlisted books that are still well known nearly 20 years later -Notes on A Scandal, Oryx and Crake and Brick Lane.

[Tracy]

Ugh. Vernon God Little. I don’t love to hate it. I just hated it! 🙂

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

I was trying to be polite

[Paul]

Unfortunately, my campaign to get the Booker rules changed to a 200 page limit on books hasn't succeeded this year.

Although the International Booker judges did agree to include mostly short books despite the lack of an official change to the rules, and to define long-form as anything more than 10 pages long, and I'm hopeful momentum is gathering behind my campaign.

[Robert]

Tracy wrote: "Ugh. Vernon God Little. I don’t love to hate it. I just hated it! 🙂"

I think it's brilliant :)

[Paul]

I can't think of another author where I've read two books so bad as the two I've read by Mr Dirty But Clean. Not least as normally if I read one I hated as much as Vernon God Little, I wouldn't touch the author's next book with a 18 foot bargepole - but Goldsmiths listing means must-read for me.

[Nadine in California]

Jo wrote: "Faber and Faber have made it on to the Longlist a number of times the last few years and there seems to be quite a lot of publicity around one of their recent publications: This One Sky Day. It see..."

I think this is published in the US as Popisho? I've got a library hold on it. It's on the shortlist for the summer Tournament of books, "Camp ToB".

[Neil]

Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "I read The Good Doctor many years back (2005) and was not that taken at the time from my review - but when I read it, it sounds like the sort of book I would more enjoy now

Book is written in simp..."

I realised that I used the word "enjoying" in my previous comment which might set the wrong context for the book. It's very sad and not what you'd call an uplifting read. But, for me, the narrative voice makes all the difference here and transforms the book. The press reviews all talk about Woolf and that seems exactly right from my limited experience of Woolf. I think your take on this book will depend on your response to this narrative voice. I really liked it.

[Hugh, Active moderator]

Neil wrote: "I am really enjoying The Promise. The only other Galgut I have read is "In A Strange Room" which I gave 5 stars. I think you have to get used to his style as you read because he switches almost randomly from third to second or first person narration. I find this really effective, but it might annoy some people, I guess. I don't know much about South Africa, although I do remember the 1995 Rugby World Cup which features, and Nelson Mandela, in his Springboks shirt and cap, presenting the trophy to Pienaar.."

I liked In a Strange Room a lot and have also read The Good Doctor, but my favourite Galgut novel was Arctic Summer, the one about Forster in India.

The less said about Vernon God Little the better - it was my last Booker winner and not a great way to finish the set. And talking of last year's Goldsmiths, I might finally get round to reading the winner soon, as I picked up a paperback copy yesterday when I was in Five Leaves to collect my copy of Lean Fall Stand.

[Ang]

I see Belinda Bauer had a new book out in January. Perhaps Neil's wife would kindly read it and let us know if it's as full of holes as Snap was. That was the best thing about Snap making the list that year. :)

Edit to add: It's called Exit and it's on today's Kindle Daily Deal for 99p. I tried to add it here but goodreads brings up 100 pages of books with the word Exit in the title.

[Neil]

Ang wrote: "I see Belinda Bauer had a new book out in January. Perhaps Neil's wife would kindly read it and let us know if it's as full of holes as Snap was. That was the best thing about Snap making the list ..."

:-)

She says she hasn't recovered from the last one yet and it would be grounds for divorce if I made her read another one. We've been married nearly 38 years, so I prefer not to risk it.

[WndyJW]

Tom wrote: "Richard Powers' new novel, Bewilderment, is slated for September 2021 (I think), which means it might be eligible this year. Either way, I cannot wait for this one.

From the publisher's descriptio..."

My condolences on the death of your father and hearty congratulations on your soon to be son, Tom.

I’d like to read more father-son books. That relationship must be as intense as mother-daughter, but father-son doesn’t seem to get as much attention.

[Robert]

WndyJW wrote: "Tom wrote: "Richard Powers' new novel, Bewilderment, is slated for September 2021 (I think), which means it might be eligible this year. Either way, I cannot wait for this one.

From the publisher'..."

Maybe Summer Brother will start a trend

[Roman Clodia]

I'm not certain this is the right thread to post in but a book I'd hope to see in future prize lists is Learwife: A Novel published by Canongate in November 2021.

It may not be experimental enough for Goldsmiths but I guess it all depends on judging panels as to whether it's Booker or Women's Prize material.

It's currently on NetGalley: my review is here: www.goodreads.com/review/show/3954687114

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Thanks. I have been looking out for that as it was in the influential Guardian Debut Novelists feature for 2021

[Roman Clodia]

I shall be very interested in seeing how you feel about it, GY.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Having said that ever since I gave one of their books a three star “just not for me” review (one which nevertheless had two people commenting underneath that the book - which was a pretty simple YA tale - sounded really up their street and they had ordered it) the publisher (Canongate) suddenly started declining all my requests on NetGalley having always accepted them - I will see what happens this time.

[Roman Clodia]

That's annoying - especially when you write thoughtful reviews, not just throwaway negative comments. I have a soft spot for Canongate who put out some interesting stuff so I hope you get this one.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

This is the review so you can judge for yourself

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

Before that they had given me several ARCs - after that every request was declined (which is very rare for me other than when I try to request US books - which sometimes works).

[Roman Clodia]

That's not negative at all, and is remarkably fair and balanced about a book that wasn't really your thing.

The only thing I wondered about is whether the publisher might have considered it a bit spoilery e.g. the killing? Though blurbs now often give away more story than I'd like.

It could just be coincidence, and we're attributing causality where there is none. Learwife might serve as a test case.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Yes agreed. I would prefer a publisher contacted me if they did not like a review.

[WndyJW]

I’m surprised they didn’t want more reviews from you, GY. That was very fair, not negative.

[WndyJW]

I must get Learwife: a novel.

[Roman Clodia]

WndyJW wrote: "I must get Learwife: a novel."

Yay! You know that feeling when you absolutely love everything about a book and want to press it into the hands of everyone you meet? That!

[WndyJW]

Now I want to read it even more. I’ve mentioned my sweet dad every time I mention Shakespeare so I’ll say again King Lear was his favorite play. I buy all the novelized Shakespeare plays.

[Roman Clodia]

Aw, that's a lovely connection. This isn't so much a novelisation of the play, as a story which starts where the play ends - but, of course, it makes connections with King Lear and weaves in lines in a smart way.

[WndyJW]

I’m a sucker for all things Shakespeare and Ancient Greece because of him. I was very fortunate to have an exceptionally kind, gentle, father. More than a few people told me my dad made them want to be a better people. We’ve all read enough novels with awful parents to know how lucky those of us are who had loving parents!

[Robert]

Derek wrote: "I believe This One Sky Day is in with a chance of being longlisted and potentially even taking the prize."

I've heard so many good things about it! I'm tempted to buy it

[Paul]

Goldsmiths contender as well?

Another former Peepal Tree Press author I think as well - she had a short story collection with them in 2017

[WndyJW]

Did you enjoy it, Derek?

[Jo]

Derek wrote: "I believe This One Sky Day is in with a chance of being longlisted and potentially even taking the prize."

Just got the email confirmation to say my copy was delivered this morning and is waiting on the porch. It is a beautiful book on the outside but (obviously) it was the unusual premise that got me.

Looking forward to this one. Heard great things.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Roman Clodia wrote: "It could just be coincidence, and we're attributing causality where there is none. Learwife might serve as a test case. "

Just received an email this morning declining to give me access

I am going to try and follow up with them - as its possible they think I am based in a different country (their generic declinature email mentions "access rights" as the most common reason for declining)

[Roman Clodia]

Interesting, if annoying. I previously had that problem with a publisher, can't remember who, who didn't seem to understand that I wasn't in the US: I actually changed my profile to say 'London, UK'!

I've certainly written honest 1- and 2-star reviews for NetGalley books that have been way more scathing than yours. I hope it is just a misunderstanding as Canongate seem a lovely press.

[Paul]

It could be the Golden Retriever hints in your avatar and reviewer name. Canongate was of course founded by a fanatical cat lover - the ironically named Stephanie Wolfe Murray - hence the choice of Edinburgh based name - Canongate.

They chose Alasdair Gray as their centre-piece author (for his famous Lanark) due to his famous 1953 self-portrait with its nine cats:

http://www.sorchadallas.com/works/209...

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

I will see what they say (if anything)

[Paul]

Could be a catastrophe if they turn you down, but if you are dogged in your persistence I'm sure you will get there.

[Paul]

JDerek wrote: "I believe This One Sky Day is in with a chance of being longlisted and potentially even taking the prize."."

For those of you Wimbledon based (just me then?) Leone Ross, author of This One Sky Day, will be speaking at the Bookfest in June alongside Monique Roffey and the Costa debut novel prize winning Ingrid Persaud.

[Jo]

Paul wrote: "JDerek wrote: "I believe This One Sky Day is in with a chance of being longlisted and potentially even taking the prize."."

For those of you Wimbledon based (just me then?) Leone R..."

This looks interesting. Love a good author talk. Hay Fest is online this year again. I registered for quite a few events. Anyone else? I thoroughly enjoyed it last year. Maggie 'O Farrell was brilliant. Quite a few authors we may be seeing on the Booker list this year.

[Paul]

I haven't for Hay as will be great to actually see the authors in person (the Wimbledon one is in a socially distanced tent) and I spend too much of my day (typically 9-10 hours) on Zoom calls already.

I hope thought that the new move to online events continues after the working world has gone back more to normal - the online book signings at the Edinburgh Festival were a particularly great idea.

And yes Hay does look great.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

I am similar

I loved the events last year and MO'F at HoW was a definite highlight.

This year I have to say they don't appeal at all and I am trying to resist booking any online events

But next year I really hope some form of them continues - perhaps alongside the actual IRL events - as I cannot see myself making H-o-W or EdBookFest in person any time in the next few years

As well as Zoom fatigue the thing I miss the most is being able to chat a little to the authors directly eg after the events and/or in book signing queues as well as actually being forced to 100% focus on the event (its too easy to multitask on an online event). The Ed Book signings worked really well for that.

[Cindy]

Jo wrote: "Paul wrote: "JDerek wrote: "I believe This One Sky Day is in with a chance of being longlisted and potentially even taking the prize."."

For those of you Wimbledon based (just me t..."

I've registered for many events at Hay. For those of us across the pond, the continuation of virtual offerings is a great boon. I agree that seeing authors in person is better, but I do hope that festivals offer both options in the future. I'd happily pay for the privilege.

[Roman Clodia]

Paul wrote: "Could be a catastrophe if they turn you down, but if you are dogged in your persistence I'm sure you will get there."

😊

[Roman Clodia]

Paul wrote: "For those of you Wimbledon based (just me then?)"

Not Wimbledon, but not far (different branch of the District Line) - I'd love to see Monique Roffey speak away from Zoom fatigue.

[Paul]

If interested - https://www.wimbledonbookfest.org/Eve... - although tickets only on sale to Friends at present.

[Paul]

Roman Clodia wrote: "Paul wrote: "Could be a catastrophe if they turn you down, but if you are dogged in your persistence I'm sure you will get there."

😊"

For avoidance of doubt I may have made up the cat obsession of the publisher and the reason for 'Canongate' - although the founder's name (Wolfe) and the self-portrait of Gray with the cats is real.