The Mookse and the Gripes discussion
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Booker Prize for Fiction
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2023 Booker Prize speculation
Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "Mohamed wrote: "Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "I also read Guy Gunaratne’s “Mister, Mister” but it dies not seem to be on Goodreads yet. Which is probably good as I need to let my thoughts..."Well, I did not see this coming. Is it that disturbing?
Actually my comment on Old Gods Time was a little skewed. The writing is at times beautiful but there are slightly too many unfolding terrible revelations I could definitely see it on the longlist at least.
I had to look up Suella Braverman and 7/7 martyrs. It sounds like a book that would be best discussed in person when there is an hour or more to have meaningful exchanges as opposed to what one can convey in comment boxes.
WndyJW wrote: "I had to look up Suella Braverman and 7/7 martyrs. It sounds like a book that would be best discussed in person when there is an hour or more to have meaningful exchanges as opposed to what one can..."I already looked up Suella Braverman and 7/7 martyrs but did not understand anything yet.
I had the pleasure to see Kevin in discussion tonight at Foyles with Natasha Brown about “Hungry Ghost”. I really can’t recommend the book enough
Sounds like an interesting conversation. I just finished it today and fully agree with you...5 stars without a doubt.
And big thanks to Mohamed for recommending it in this thread a couple of months ago.
You all have convinced me - a copy of Hungry Ghosts is winging its way to my Kindle.
Ruben wrote: "Sounds like an interesting conversation. I just finished it today and fully agree with you...5 stars without a doubt.
And big thanks to Mohamed for recommending it in this thread a couple of mon..."
Oh, Thank you Ruben and Gumble! Indeed it is such incredible that will linger for a long time!
Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "I had the pleasure to see Kevin in discussion tonight at Foyles with Natasha Brown about “Hungry Ghost”. I really can’t recommend the book enough"You did pick up a signed copy I assume as a present for someone you know well whose birthday is coming up soon.....
(and you should know when his birthday is, given it's coincidentally the same day as yours)
I too have a copy of Hungry Ghost on its way to me. So the Fulchers are Pisces…explains a lot… :)
I’m joking, my parents and a few other close family members are Pisces. In fact my mother will be 85 March 10.
Pisces for the win (says a fellow fish). And I have a copy of Hungry Ghost waiting for me at the library.
We aren’t Pisces. Or indeed any star sign.
If your birthday is between Feb 20 and March 19th your sun sign is Pisces. You should like that, the sign of Pisces is two fish drawn in the way ancient Christians identified themselves to other Christians. If it’s true that Christians would draw a fish in the dirt to signal to a stranger that they were followers of Jesus.Decades ago my brother and I went to a bar, I can’t remember if my brother had a fake I.D., I doubt it because he was over 21, but the bouncer doubted it and asked my brother what his astrological sign was. My brother told the guy that he had no idea and he didn’t.
I don't think Christianity and astrology quite go together.That said my youngest was convinced until she was about 7 that she could breathe fire as I had told her she was born in the year of the dragon, and my eldest still refuses to eat pig.
They don’t, but I was surprised to read that Easter falls on the first Sunday after the full moon following the Spring Equinox. That is the most specific blending of pagan and Christianity of any holiday. Santa and the manger in Bethlehem are never in the same story, but the way Easter is determined uses an old pagan day of celebration to honor a Christian event.Has your youngest refused to eat dragon?
Any thoughts on Sebastian Barry's Old God's Time?
Priya Hein's Riambel has absolutely blown my socks off. It's a wonderful book and I hope it is submitted and nominated.
Ben wrote: "Priya Hein's Riambel has absolutely blown my socks off. It's a wonderful book and I hope it is submitted and nominated."Looks very interesting.
Jo wrote: "Any thoughts on Sebastian Barry's Old God's Time?"I think we discussed higher up the thread when it started getting some very strong write ups (but may be wrong)
Some thoughts from my review - which in full is here
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Compared to Days Without End and A Thousand Moons - this book: retains the evocative landscape writing - with the coast of Ireland substituted for the American plains; has a greater emphasis on interiority – but again conveyed in a beautifully crafted prose; retains the stark contrast between the beauty of the writing and the unpleasantness of much of what is being described (if anything I found that contrast stronger here); loses the made-for-Hollywood plot but retains a cinematic feel (more introspective art film than Hollywood Western); still has the slight disconnect that the beautiful prose is largely (not exclusively) the thoughts of the main character – even if this time expressed in the third person - and slightly incongruous to their background.
On the strength side, in addition to the powerful writing, the book is a moving explanation of what it means to love and be loved, but one which is far from sentimental in its portrayal of the life long and generational impact of unpunished and unacknowledged abuse, and how even seeming justice can lead to an unbearable weight of guilt (particularly when coupled with the undeserved shame of a victim).
On the weaker side I did feel that the two key tropes of the book: the blurring of past/present and reality/memory/dreams; and the unspooling atrocities were both overdone (particularly the latter as ultimately the accumulative revelations end up dampening rather than reinforcing their impact).
Ben wrote: "Priya Hein's Riambel has absolutely blown my socks off. It's a wonderful book and I hope it is submitted and nominated."That’s great to hear. The Republic of Consciousness Book of the Month club pick for March.
I didn’t care for Days Without End for reasons I don’t remember, but I heard him talk about Old God’s Time and it sounds good. I’d like to read it. Did you read it, Jo?
Excellent review, GY. You reminded me why I didn’t care for Days Without End, but the passage from Old God’s Time made me want to keep reading.
Thanks GY. I liked A Thousand Moons but didn't love it. But from what you are saying, his latest sounds even better. Haven't read it yet but have just added it to the list.
Turning out to be an excellent year with so many brilliant books.
Not sure I would necessarily say that - as my last para replies I think the two key aspects of the novel are completely overdone.
4* review though GY so worth a read. Will let you know what I think when I get to it.
Some of the writing is beautiful.
I’ve actually, surprisingly, never read any Barry. Would Old God’s Time be a good introduction?
I finished Hungry Ghosts in the wee hours. If this isn’t on the Booker Shortlist I am done with the Booker.My review, in which I compare Kevin Jared Hosein to Toni Morrison
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Lovely review Wendy.
Great review, Wendy! Completely agree. While I was reading it I thought: Yep! This is it. This is exactly the type of novel you want to see on the shortlist and even win it.
- Original
- Celebration of language
- Insightful
- Thought-provoking
- Layers and layers of depth
It is glorious! More people need to read this novel.
I want to teach this novel.
Ben wrote: "I’ve actually, surprisingly, never read any Barry. Would Old God’s Time be a good introduction?"I haven't read Barry either, although I think I have a copy of Days Without End somewhere.
Thank you, GY and Jo.Was it hyperbole to compare Hosein to Morrison?
I don’t think it’s easy to make readers feel a connection and care about characters. The other recent book I liked this much was Victory City, but even Rushdie didn’t create characters that I cared very much about or will remember. I care about and will remember these characters, even Mr Bain and Hans, even Marlee. She lived in luxury, but she was completely alone, while the women in the barrack, the cousins, even the twins had people who cared about them.
This meets the high standards in all the areas you listed, Jo, and fully expect to see it on the Booker shortlist and maybe even the winner.
I posted my picture of the book, gave it 5* and said how much I loved it and KJ Hosein messaged me that he was glad I enjoyed his book. I told him that several members of my GR book group raved about it. He said he thinks he met one of them at Foyle’s. Is Hosein as tall as he looks in photos, Paul?
That was me.
With Hungry Ghosts, the question is whether the Booker is still interested in historical fiction told in a linear narrative. A lot will depend on the judges.
Met Kevin briefly at a book launch a few weeks ago. He is indeed very tall (and a lovely guy).
David wrote: "With Hungry Ghosts, the question is whether the Booker is still interested in historical fiction told in a linear narrative. A lot will depend on the judges."Ah, my favorite book = historical fiction + linear narrative. This morning I finished The Whalebone Theatre which fits that description. It's too long for Paul and probably a bit slow, but I loved luxuriating in the narrative.
My mother couldn’t say enough good things about Whalebone Theatre, Kathleen.The Bookers have made a turn to readable books, so Hungry Ghosts would be perfect, it’s both readable and excellent.
Kevin Jared Hosein said that it was you, GY, that he doesn’t typically read reviews, but he enjoyed yours and mine. Probably because mine was on Instagram so he saw it.
I absolutely adored The Whalebone Theatre and have bought it as a gift for more than one friend. I can't imagine it as a Booker book, but I think it should definitely be read.I am excited to read the Hosein, which I hope to do this week.
Hugh wrote: "https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1..."There sure are a lot of "people" who have voted for the Kingsolver - and only the Kingsolver - on the listopia.
I just looked at that list. The VAST majority are books I want to read but have not yet. I have actually voted for the Kingsolver, but that's not the only book on the list I've voted for.
Has anyone read Chain Gang All Stars which is high on the list
Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "Has anyone read Chain Gang All Stars which is high on the list"Sadly, NetGalley declined my request today.
I just finished listening to the Kingsolver a couple of days ago. Gave it 4*. I really enjoyed it. Bit long in places. Didn't see it as massively original. It is very good. But maybe not brilliant. Lacked the layers of depth that I have found in other novels.
I wouldn't be upset to see it longlisted. However, would prefer to see it on the Women's Prize rarher than The Booker.
Oddly I was just accepted for it - although not sure it’s my thing. I did really enjoy the Kingsolver but yes feels a WP book
Chain Gang All-Stars is getting a ridiculous amount of buzz over here but does not at all sound like my kind of thing. I suspect I will only read it if it is longlisted.
I think the book with the buzz is Chain-Saw Gang All Stars
Ha! Close enough. Told you it was not my kind of thing.
I am very, very excited to read Chain-Gang. Friday Black was excellent; I loved how he carried George Saunders’ torch into new and challenging subject matter.
I didn’t know there were new books by Max Porter, John Banville, or Deborah Levy. It doesn’t look like they got rave reviews though.
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The Mookse and the Gripes
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Actually another two times longlisted so four in total
I read this back in October. Certainly a good book although a bit too overdone
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...