2023 Booker Prize speculation Showing 51-100 of 1,356

[Jo]

Derek wrote: "Sure! If I may ask a favour of you too?"

It deserves to do well!

[WndyJW]

I forgot to say what the favor is! I have started collecting postcards from favorite authors. If you don’t mind sending me a signed postcard that would be great.
I’ll happily return the favor-just tell me what I can do for you?

One thing I can and will do is request our local Barnes and Nobel store to order a copy of Losing the Plot. They will order two and I won’t pick them up so they will be on the shelf. I’ll order my own copy from B&N to shipped to my house. I don’t need to order from Blackwells since it was released in the US already.

[Tom]

Is there a separate thread for discussion of The Passenger? I finished it a couple days ago and there's a lot to unpack, I thought. I'm excited for Stella Maris to arrive next week.

[David]

Tom, there isn't a separate thread for The Passenger but it's totally fine to discuss it here or under the Cormac McCarthy author thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I believe Neil has read it and probably others too. I'm sure there will be a lot to unpack!

[WndyJW]

That is the one thing missing from this group-a thread for books others than those nominated for prizes. We can discuss books under the author thread or if it is an indie press book under the Favorite Presses thread.
Another group a couple of us are in has a What Are You Reading Now for books other than group or buddy reads.
Maybe we could have a Let’s Talk About This Book thread.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

First review I have seen of Stella Maris

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

Absolute panning - probably as good a one as I have read this year

[Paul]

Haven’t there been a lot of reviews? Books Marks has logged 30. The Sunday Guardian aka Observer reviewed in weeks ago didn’t it?

https://bookmarks.reviews/reviews/ste...

[Nadine in California]

Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "First review I have seen of Stella Maris

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

Absolute panning - probably as g..."

Yes, that was wicked fun!
"...clacking away on his portable typewriter, marinating in genius."

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

It’s been odd Paul. Some reviews of The Passenger reviewed this at the same time (although mainly concentrating on the first) - but Stella Maris is only about to be published so I think now some standalone reviews are coming

[Paul]

Ah is Stella Maris the one that is the sort of companion to the other? Not a story I have really followed.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Yes like a companion novella

[Mohamed]

They just announced the judges for the Booker Prize 2023 which are:
Novelist Esi Edugyan, twice-shortlisted for the Booker Prize, will chair the panel and will be joined by Adjoa Andoh, actor, writer and director; Mary Jean Chan, poet, lecturer, editor and critic; James Shapiro, Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University and author specialising in Shakespeare; and Robert Webb, actor and writer.

[Mohamed]

https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booke...

[David]

Nice to see Edugyan but overall this seems underwhelming.

[Cindy]

James Shapiro is pretty impressive to me. And I'm delighted to see Edugyan.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

I can see it now

The longlist comes out to universal condemnation and one of the judges turns to Robert Webb and says

“Are we the baddies?”

[Paul]

Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "I can see it now

The longlist comes out to universal condemnation and one of the judges turns to Robert David Webb and says

“Are we the baddies?”"

:-)

[Alwynne]

Cindy wrote: "James Shapiro is pretty impressive to me. And I'm delighted to see Edugyan."

Sounds good to me too, nice to have a queer writer in Mary Jean Chan, not sure how Robert Webb fits in but enjoyed 'Peep Show'!

[WndyJW]

I was just going to ask who Robert Webb is. Im guessing he’s said, “are we the baddies in the Peep Show.”

I wasn’t too impressed with Half Blood Blues or Washington Black and an actor from a show called Peep Show and another from Bridgerton gives me a sinking feeling about the quality of books we can expect next year. I hope I’m wrong.

James Shapiro is a good choice. I’m not familiar with Mary Jean Chan, but they seem like a good choice.

[Paul]

He is Hans here https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hn1VxaM... in an iconic comedy sketch.

This is from a sketch show with David Mitchell (not the author) and Webb and Mitchell also starred in the sitcom The Peep Show.

[David]

That’s a classic.

[Alwynne]

WndyJW wrote: "I was just going to ask who Robert Webb is. Im guessing he’s said, “are we the baddies in the Peep Show.”

I wasn’t too impressed with Half Blood Blues or [book:Washington Black|381..."

Mary Jean Chan is a very well-regarded poet and lectures in Creative Writing. Robert Webb has an English degree from Cambridge - no guarantee of anything but does mean he has a background as far as understanding narrative/genre etc goes - he's also published a biography and a novel.

[WndyJW]

That skit was hilarious. I shouldn’t judge Webb for being an actor, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy was a comedian before he was elected and he’s heroic.

[David]

Zelenskyy probably couldn’t commit to 150+ novels so they went with Webb.

[WndyJW]

🤭

[Jo]

Recently finished 'Hungry Ghosts' - a definite longlist contender.

[David]

What did you think of it, Jo? Have you read anything else by Hosein?

[Mohamed]

Jo wrote: "Recently finished 'Hungry Ghosts' - a definite longlist contender."

That was my feeling as well when I finished it. very well executed with a unique prose

[Jo]

David wrote: "What did you think of it, Jo? Have you read anything else by Hosein?"

First I have read by him. I did look him up and was impressed with his list of literary awards.

It's poetic. reminded me of The Colony.

Honestly. I am so glad I read it on my kindle because I had to look up so many of the words. More than any noel I have ever read! I liked this use of more interesting vocabulary though.

Initially, I didn't like the ending but now I love it. This would be a great novel to study as it is so dense.

And you?

[Mohamed]

Jo wrote: "David wrote: "What did you think of it, Jo? Have you read anything else by Hosein?"

First I have read by him. I did look him up and was impressed with his list of literary awards.

It's poetic. re..."

I loved the ending! it was at once poetic and cinematic. The only thing that I did not like is the lack of the backstory for Marlee, i wanted more and more.

You said it was well edited which it is true. The novel was scheduled for March 2021 than moved to May 2022 and finally they landed on February 2023

[David]

I haven't read anything by him, although he's been on my radar as a writer to watch. I keep waiting for Caribbean fiction to have a breakthrough moment at the Booker. This might be it.

[Jo]

Mohamed wrote: "Jo wrote: "David wrote: "What did you think of it, Jo? Have you read anything else by Hosein?"

First I have read by him. I did look him up and was impressed with his list of literary awards.

It's..."

Yes - Marlee's character is very interesting. I felt it a wise choice though to give voice to those lower down the social ladder.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Well a Caribbean writer won the award in 2015

[David]

Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "Well a Caribbean writer won the award in 2015"

That's true. I think of Marlon James as a US-based writer, but obviously he's from Jamaica and A Brief History of Seven Killings is unmistakably Jamaican.

[Mohamed]

David wrote: "I haven't read anything by him, although he's been on my radar as a writer to watch. I keep waiting for Caribbean fiction to have a breakthrough moment at the Booker. This might be it."

Finger Crossed

[Mohamed]

Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "Well a Caribbean writer won the award in 2015"

Fingers Crossed! You should read it soon, Gumble. I am keen to know your opinion

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

I have managed to accrue 15 ARCs so having to with though in publication order.

Reading The New Life currently then A Spell of Good Things before I get to the Hosein

[Mohamed]

Great! A Spell of Good Things seems promising
Would you give as the titles of the 15 ARCs?

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

“The New Life” by Tom Crewe
“A Spell of Good Things” by Ayòbámi Adébáyò
“Hungry Ghosts” by Kevin Jared Hosein
“One Small Voice” by Santanu Bhattacharya
“Birnham Wood” by Eleanor Catton
“Cuddy” by Benjamin Myers
“Cursed Bread” by Sophie Mackintosh
“Now I Am Here” by Chidi Ebere
“Fire Rush” by Jacqueline Crooks
“Close to Home” by Michael Magee
“Biography of X” by Catherine Lacey
“A House for Alice” by Diana Evans
“The Memory of Animals” by Claire Fuller
“The North Shore” by Ben Tuffnell
“The Late Americans” by Brandon Taylor

[Jo]

Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "“The New Life” by Tom Crewe
“A Spell of Good Things” by Ayòbámi Adébáyò
“Hungry Ghosts” by Kevin Jared Hosein
“One Small Voice” by Santanu Bhattacharya
“Birnham Wood” by Eleanor Catton
“Cuddy” by B..."

Looking forward to Birnam Wood and The Memory of Animals!

[Mohamed]

Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "“The New Life” by Tom Crewe
“A Spell of Good Things” by Ayòbámi Adébáyò
“Hungry Ghosts” by Kevin Jared Hosein
“One Small Voice” by Santanu Bhattacharya
“Birnham Wood” by Eleanor Catton
“Cuddy” by B..."

Brilliant list. I know all of these titles and excited for many of them especially the Catton's

[David]

Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "“The New Life” by Tom Crewe
“A Spell of Good Things” by Ayòbámi Adébáyò
“Hungry Ghosts” by Kevin Jared Hosein
“One Small Voice” by Santanu Bhattacharya
“Birnham Wood” by Eleanor Catton
“Cuddy” by Benjamin Myers
“Cursed Bread” by Sophie Mackintosh
“Now I Am Here” by Chidi Ebere
“Fire Rush” by Jacqueline Crooks
“Close to Home” by Michael Magee
“Biography of X” by Catherine Lacey
“A House for Alice” by Diana Evans
“The Memory of Animals” by Claire Fuller
“The North Shore” by Ben Tuffnell
“The Late Americans” by Brandon Taylor"

I wonder how many on this list we will see on the Booker longlist.

[Mohamed]

“Hungry Ghosts” by Kevin Jared Hosein
“Birnham Wood” by Eleanor Catton
“Close to Home” by Michael Magee
Theses 3, I might say.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

The new Life I would say

[Jen]

Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "“The New Life” by Tom Crewe
“A Spell of Good Things” by Ayòbámi Adébáyò
“Hungry Ghosts” by Kevin Jared Hosein
“One Small Voice” by Santanu Bhattacharya
“Birnham Wood” by Eleanor Catton
“Cuddy” by B..."

Oooh Cursed Bread, I look forward to your review (and its release).

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "The new Life I would say"

I am going to be surprised if The New Life is not on the Booker longlist

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

[David]

For a country the size of Trinidad and Tobago, there are some exciting writers to watch. In addition to Hosein, there's Lisa Allen-Agostini from last year's Women's Prize, Monique Roffey, Andre Bagoo, and I'm sure others. That's not to mention established writers like Earl Lovelace and Merle Hodge. It's quite impressive.

[David]

Gumble wrote: "The new Life I would say"

I am going to be surprised if The New Life is not on the Booker longlist

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

This sounds incredibly ambitious for a debut.

[Paul]

That one does sound impressive

[Cindy]

Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "The new Life I would say"

I am going to be surprised if The New Life is not on the Booker longlist

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

I'm incredibly eager to read it. Have been hearing nothing but excellent things.