2021 Booker Prize Speculation Showing 301-350 of 1,196

[Emmeline]

Light Perpetual sounds interesting I think. Kind of Sliding Doors meets that series 7Up. Shame it doesn't seem to have worked for you.

[Paul]

It is very 7Up, and not at all Sliding Doors - or it is but only in the sense you could make any book Sliding Doors by putting a chapter at the front saying all the characters actually died one day but this is what might have happened otherwise, then largely ignoring that for the rest of the book

[WndyJW]

Why didn’t you think it worked? It is an odd concept. This is what life might have been if these children hadn’t died, when really there is no way of knowing and there were plenty of children who did survive and children, sadly, die every day.

I did read a novel that followed a young girl from her birth to very old age, only to find out at the very end that everything in the story about the family and the village was true except that the girl had actually died at age 10. The story was written by a great-niece of the girl. The protagonist did not have a remarkable life, other than she lived through great changes from farm life to modern life, but not knowing until the shocking that the girl actually didn’t experience anything past the second chapter really drove home how much is lost when an otherwise unremarkable, unknown life is cut short. It was impactful writing it that way.

Knowing from the start that these kids died won’t have that impact. I like Spufford though so I will check it out.

[Paul]

Yes Neil's point in his review was exactly that - if he'd have revealed their death at the end it would have worked.

And it isn't that the children are real people who died that day (the bomb was a real incident) or that we knew anything about them in the book before they died (they are only introduced post their 'death'), or that they somehow changed history.

The concept here feels completely unrelated to the book that follows. Read Red Plenty instead if you like Spufford (doesn't seem widely read)

[Emmeline]

WndyJW wrote: "I did read a novel that followed a young girl from her birth to very old age, only to find out at the very end that everything in the story about the family and the village was true except that the girl had actually died at age 10."

Wendy, I was also thinking of that book when I read about this one. That ending was such a sucker punch to the gut, especially as she was a real person and died of something there's a vaccine for now. Agree it works much, much better coming at the end -- but then your marketers have to sell the book as a conventional story and hope people will read it and be surprised and moved at the end.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

The two issues I see with bringing it on at the end are

- it can seem gimmicky and manipulative of readers

- it runs the risk of spoilers by either publishers (see Solar Bones and many others) or reviewers (see lots of books)

But it felt here like rather than a twist in the book itself this might have worked purely as the afterword by the author about the real life incident that motivated him to write it.

[Sam]

Anyone read Sam Riviere's Dead Souls yet? It is getting good reviews and seems something we'd like. I have a library hold on a copy but won't see it for a few weeks.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

I was wondering the same. It was on the Guardian’s debut novel feature which last year picked the winner

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

I have read six of these and (see another discussion been turned down for another on dubious grounds) but unfortunately the Rivière did not seem to appear on NetGalley

Of this list Little Scratch and Assembly are the two I would like to see on the Booker. Assembly in particular

[Cindy]

Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "I was wondering the same. It was on the Guardian’s debut novel feature which last year picked the winner

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

Thanks for this link. Some very interesting books on it. I'll be curious to see what this year's Booker judging panel does. Last year was so full of debuts, which felt quite unusual, and I'm wondering whether we will see something more like a return to form this year.

[Sam]

Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "I was wondering the same. It was on the Guardian’s debut novel feature which last year picked the winner

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

We should get Paul to try it. Comparisons with Bernhard abound.

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

It is literary satire. I'm not sure that it might be a bit too literary academic for the present Booker. Still from what I sampled, it looked like a lot of fun. I added the more recent Guardian review.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Yes I have seen all the Berhard comparisons also

Its the fact its a poetry satire rather than literary that worries me more.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Cindy wrote: "Thanks for this link. Some very interesting books on it"

Here are my reviews so far of that list

Open Water: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Acts of Desperation
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Girl A
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Highway Blue
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Little Scratch
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Assembly
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jo]

I have been waiting with massive anticipation to read Assembly and have my copy on order for a good couple of months. I am SO pleased to hear you think it is 'outstanding'.

[Nadine in California]

Sam wrote: "Anyone read Sam Riviere's Dead Souls yet? It is getting good reviews and seems something we'd like. I have a library hold on a copy but won't see it for a few weeks."

Book Marks (a Lithub production) has six reviews, labeling them 3 raves, 2 positives, and 1 mixed. I skimmed the excerpts of the reviews and it looks like a love-it or hate-it book, not surprising since it's one paragraph spanning 320 pages. These kinds of books work best for me on audio. I think Milkman is one of those, but I'm not sure since I listened to it on audio and loved it.

[Sam]

Nadine wrote: "Sam wrote: "Anyone read Sam Riviere's Dead Souls yet? It is getting good reviews and seems something we'd like. I have a library hold on a copy but won't see it for a few weeks."

B..."
Yes I saw those Nadine. I tossed the mixed one, by Lily Meyer from NPR, who writes, "It is my personal, unshakable belief that writing without paragraphs is a middle finger to the reader..." which pretty much limits her credibility with such bias. Illingworth and Litt gave it rave reviews, but the review I enjoyed the most was from the Washington Post's Ron Charles. His review captured the spirit of the satire IMO, while mentioning what will be the two biggest criticisms.

The audio is by Thomas Judd and the narration in my sample was very good. I think this may be too niche placed for the Booker, but I am certainly looking forward to it for my pleasure. A nice satire on plagiarism and cancel culture??? How can you resist?

[Emmeline]

Sam wrote: "Nadine wrote: "Sam wrote: "Anyone read Sam Riviere's Dead Souls yet? It is getting good reviews and seems something we'd like. I have a library hold on a copy but won't see it for a..."

I loved the Litt review. Very funny in its own right and compares it to several books I love so I'll probably have to check this out.

I feel like it also sounds reminiscent of The Savage Detectives, if only for making poets seem momentarily the center of the world...

[Paul]

While I loved 2666, I struggled with The Savage Detectives because of the concept of guerrilla poets - or as one review put it "it’s full of guerrilla-poets, gangster-poets, assassin-poets, pimp-poets, serial-killer-poets, stooge-poets."

But if this one is Bernhardian then I'm in!

Comes with a blurb as well from Katharine Kilalea, author of Ok, Mr. Field which is another positive

OK Mr Field wonderful book - and also of the c2000 books on my GR shelves is in the bottom 10 in terms of avg rating (2.72).

[Nadine in California]

Sam wrote: "Nadine wrote: "Sam wrote: "Anyone read Sam Riviere's Dead Souls yet? It is getting good reviews and seems something we'd like. I have a library hold on a copy but won't see it for a..."

I never miss a Ron Charles review. It seems like he hasn't made a "totally hip video" review in a while. I love those. Maybe the actors demanded a raise ;)

[WndyJW]

Ron Charles is funny. It was one of his totally hip videos that introduced me to Shelfari. It must have been a joke about not actually reading a book because he lightly mocked talking about books on Shelfari instead of reading books, I looked up Shelfari and here I am!

I think Emily would agree the book we’re talking about didn’t seem gimmicky or manipulative, it worked in this novel. On a personal note my nickname for my grandson Griffin is Gruffydd after reading it in that story.

[WndyJW]

I haven’t yet had a Bernhardian phase, but I will endeavor to embark on one before I read this. Even the poets name is satirical, “Solomon” and “Wiese.”

[Lee]

Funnily enough I just decided to read through Bernhard’s novels and am about through his debut, Frost. It’s, erm, really something. Surely not his best but when I do this I do like to go in order through the author’s books.

[Cindy]

Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "Yes I have seen all the Berhard comparisons also

Its the fact its a poetry satire rather than literary that worries me more."

Thanks for sharing these GY. Just finished Open Water and really liked it. Girl A was fine, but psychological thrillers are not really my thing. Will be making my way through the list. Have to say that Assembly is the one I am most interested in.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Girl A is definitely not Booker material I think.

[Cindy]

Definitely not.

[Paul]

What books we've mentioned are missing from the Listopia list - would be good to add some to it: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

This is the one Listopia list which does attract a lot of votes so good to have likely contenders featured. I've added ones from my own reading list (albeit a bit small press biased) and the Guardian first novel list.

[Tom]

I noticed that Rainy Day Ramen and the Cosmic Pachinko is high on the list, but it only has 17 total ratings thus far. I got a Kindle copy because it sounds very strange and interesting - has anyone actually read this yet? Recommended?

[Paul]

Those lists can be subject to lots of friends of the authors just voting for that book - but this looks more genuine that some I've seen. The author himself describes it as Murakamiesque.

On the -esque topic, I think I've already chosen my 2022 winner - Clouds by Adam Ouston, to be published by This is Splice. The author describes it "Bernhardian, Sebaldian, Krasznahorkian," I'm sold!!

[Sam]

I am thinking that, like the Women's Prize, there will be more eligible and deserving books than the longlist allows. Hence, I would look to the judges in trying to predict nominated books. I expect an intellectual element perhaps with a nod toward history from this year's judges, with Maya Jasanoff as chair, and Rowan Williams on the panel. I expect a continued acknowledgement of diversity with representation by women and POC, but I would expect a more conservative leaning. (Am I mistaken in seeing a Financial Times connection in these judges?) If I were to guess one book that I felt sure would make the list, it would be Transcendental Kingdom.

[Robert]

All my favorite booker longlists had philosophers as chair or panel as there’s a priest this time round - which automatically means there’s a philosophical background I think there will be some interesting choices.

When A.C Grayling and Kwame Appiah chaired the booker, the selections encapsulated (bar a couple of books - ahem snap) the zeitgeist of that time

[Sam]

Robert wrote: "All my favorite booker longlists had philosophers as chair or panel as there’s a priest this time round - which automatically means there’s a philosophical background I think there will be some int..."

Yes, I suppose it is worth reiterating the panel to refresh everyone's memory.
Maya Jasanoff
Horatia Harrod
Natasha McElhone
Chigozie Obioma
Rowan Williams

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

If Rowan Williams had been a judge last year I think Piranesi and The Mirror and The Light would have made the longlist (the latter did of course) as he reviewed both very favourably in the New Statesman. I think Jack by Marilynne Robinson would have had a good chance also.

Maya Jasanoff writes about the British Empire but often from the British/European/Imperial viewpoint - I am not sure I can think of any eligible novels which directly fit that.

One would expect Obiama to be looking out for Nigerian authors.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Robert wrote: "All my favorite booker longlists had philosophers as chair or panel ... A.C Grayling..."

A.C Grayling is I have to say from my one series of encounters with him quite a mischievous individual - he seemed to take great delight in the 2 winners controversy

[Paul]

Rowan Williams is a massive Doestevsky fan so he will either love Dostoevsky in Love: An Intimate Life - or absolutely hate it! Although it's being marketed as non-fiction, I suspect the international judges would have regarded it as eligible.

[Sam]

I would also not be surprised, to Paul's and my dismay, books of volume as well as substance.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Graham's game of random associations (which tends to work surprisingly - almost disappointingly - well)

I am predicting Second Place for the list based on the following -

Horatia Harrod interviewed Cusk for the Telegraph a few years back (the Booker Prize lists this as the judge's main literary credential)

Cusk wrote on Williams sister-in-law in the NY Times in late 2019.

Cusk and Harrod recently co-signed a political protest letter

[Paul]

I may regret asking this as a Cusk fan - but which letter did they sign?

[Cindy]

Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "Graham's game of random associations (which tends to work surprisingly - almost disappointingly - well)

I am predicting Second Place for the list based on the following -

Horatia Harrod intervie..."

I just read Second Place over the weekend. Although it had flashes of brilliance, at the end of the day I was unsatisfied by it, and it struck me as a different style of writing from Cusk's usual flair. It also had a (to me) extremely hard-to-like protagonist, which (I've said this before) often makes me struggle.

[Emmeline]

Cusk's most recent wasn't my favourite of hers, but I actually feel they owe her a longlisting for ignoring her trilogy these last few years... what were those successive juries thinking?

[Roman Clodia]

I'm often completely out of line with Booker judging panels so the fact that I *loved* Second Place means it likely doesn't stand a chance ;)

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Paul wrote: "I may regret asking this as a Cusk fan - but which letter did they sign?"

More around detention of an activist in Russia I think

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Emily wrote: "Cusk's most recent wasn't my favourite of hers, but I actually feel they owe her a longlisting for ignoring her trilogy these last few years... what were those successive juries thinking?"

Perhaps we could get Faye to meet them and they would tell her

[Emmeline]

Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "Emily wrote: "Cusk's most recent wasn't my favourite of hers, but I actually feel they owe her a longlisting for ignoring her trilogy these last few years... what were those successive juries think..."

:-)

[Jo]

I really liked Second Place. The idea held promise and some parts were really beautifully crafted. Ultimately though, I agree, I felt 'unsatisfied'. I don't believe she quite pulled it off.

Has anyone read Mother Mother by Annie Macmanus?

[Neil]

I have to say I loved Second Place and was completely satisfied by it!

[Emmeline]

I think I would have been more satisfied if I had not known of its connection to DH Lawrence, as I spent a lot of time while reading trying to tease out the connections and being unsure what they added up to, when it might have stood better as a story in its own right.

[Sam]

I have been looking at potential American possibilities and agree that Rachel Cusk is a strong one. I am dragging in my reading again so I have not been reading the new U.S. releases. I have been sampling and Great Circle, Maggie Shipstead, has gotten good reviews. I see it had a Guardian review yesterday so I presume UK publishing. There are a host of other possibilities, but I am going to try and read a couple before mentioning them.

I haven't read anything off the Miles Franklin longlist. The Rain Heron seems to have the best reviews but is ineligible because of publishing date so I am at a loss for what that area of the world may offer.

I was not a big fan of Whereabouts but the name may carry the nomination. Otherwise, A Passage North may represent an Indian possibility.


Anyone been considering the International options?

[Cindy]

Great Circle is getting tremendous buzz. I just got my copy and hope to read it soon. I was also not a big fan of Whereabouts and am confused about whether or not it qualifies, if it was originally written (and published) in Italian.

[Paul]

Whereabouts is eligible for the International version.

Hope The Great Circle doesn't make it - lots of mentions of the word "epic" in reviews which usually means one thing.... - but would be good for someone to add to the Listopia

From Australia - The Living Sea of Waking Dreams and The Yield are both very strong contenders.

[Paul]

Sam wrote: "Anyone been considering the International options?"

Sam as for International options - the 2022 Listopia is here https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1... including Whereabouts.

The Book of Jacob looms large over all other competition!

But for a hot early tip - and not on Listopia as not yet on GR - the Prix Goncourt winning The Anomaly by Hervé Le Tellier tr. Adriana Hunter.

We tend to start the threads here post the previous year's winner being announced, and sometimes post judging panel.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Whereabouts is surely not eligible - its self translated like The Perfect Nine

And Cusk American? Wow I had never thought of it like that - I know she was born in Canada but to British parents, lived a few years in the US and moved to England when she was 7-8 I think.