2023 Goldsmiths Prize speculation

[Paul]

Hopefully so. Is pretty much what the prize is for.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Not sure that applies to any of the past winners though - they were about trying new things with the novel form so as to unleash its power rather than writing a novel about novels … I think there is a difference.

Or take day the excellent 2021 longlist SKG, Assembly, Little Scratch, This One Sky Day were not about novels (Checkout19 I would say was).

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Just posted my review of To Battersea Park

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

[Alwynne]

Following the discussion but puzzled why is a novel commenting on novels any less valid than a novel about any other subject?

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Just feels like novel gazing

[Tracy]

Groan!

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Sorry

[Paul]

So shortlist out next Wed 4th October at 8pm,

Only info so far is that one of my tips Vehicle is ineligible as the author is a past student at the Goldsmiths. From the emoji-reaction of her publisher to her tweet I half wondered if they entered it and were thinking 'why did you confess that'!

For record my wish-prediction list was The Way The Day Breaks, Corey Fah Does Social Mobility, The Long Form, Study for Obedience, Losing the Plot and Vehicle - given the latter ineliglble I will switch in This Plague of Souls.

I had a reserve list of Shy, The End of Nightwork, Cuddy, Mrs S, August Blue and Man Eating Typewriter

With exception of last these are based on books I've read.

[David]

In addition to some of the books on your list, I'd like to see at least one from Cipher. I have an arc of the new Rumfitt but haven't started it yet.

[endrju]

Fingers crossed for Never Was!

[Robert]

I’m secretly hoping man eating typewriter gets shortlisted (mind you I’ll buy it anyway)

[Paul]

endrju wrote: "Fingers crossed for Never Was!"

That does look a good shout.

[David]

Is The Box by Mandy-Suzanne Wong eligible? Wong is from Bermuda, which is a British overseas territory. I’m always a little shaky on the eligibility rules for this prize.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Ohhh I love Bermuda - I know lots of people who live there and I have spent lots of time on work trips there, together with a few streets in London (Lime, Leadenhall, Fenchurch etc) it’s the centre of the world’s insurance industry

But it’s not even published in the UK so not possibly eligible.

[WndyJW]

Bermuda is the center of the world’s insurance industry? That’s smart. If I could choose where to center an industry I would choose somewhere beautiful.

[David]

Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "But it’s not even published in the UK so not possibly eligible."

I think that's right. I only see the Graywolf. Otherwise, the book would fit the Goldsmiths ethos to a T.

[Robert]

At what time will the announcement take place?

and (for me) fingers crossed that Man Eating Typewriter makes it :)

[Alwynne]

WndyJW wrote: "Bermuda is the center of the world’s insurance industry? That’s smart. If I could choose where to center an industry I would choose somewhere beautiful."

I've only read about corporations and Bermuda in relation to things like Oxfam reports which focused on the less than charming aspects:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/201...

[Alwynne]

Robert wrote: "At what time will the announcement take place?

and (for me) fingers crossed that Man Eating Typewriter makes it :)"

Paul's earlier post says 8pm.

[Robert]

Thanks!

[Alwynne]

Robert wrote: "Thanks!"

I'm excited to find out what's on the list.

[Hugh, Active moderator]

I may still be on my way home at 8 pm but will catch up as soon as I can. The new discussion thread is already open - feel free to comment there once the list is announced. Rankings are also open.