The Mookse and the Gripes discussion
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Booker Prize for Fiction
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2025 Booker Prize speculation
I assume this is the first prediction of the season.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2QVF...
Overall, a good yet predictable selection. It lacks some heavy reads from the August/ September 2025 releases including Susan Choi's Flashlight and Amity by Nathan Harris
Mohamed wrote: "I assume this is the first prediction of the season.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2QVF...
Overall, a good yet predictable selection. It lacks some heavy reads from the August/ September 20..."
GY's excellent list of his preferences from earlier in the topic is probably the first prediction.
I have read 11 of Eric’s list. The only one I really don’t want to see there is Juice.
Bob (the Bookerer) has been up some time - it’s a run through the Listopia by category and then a list https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WP3k2fW...
I going to try and compile as many prediction lists as possible this year. So if you see any anywhere please post them here.
Eric's is the first video I have watched, but thanks for the Bob (the Bookerer) link GY. Usually Eric goes off the beaten path a bit more than he did this year. I was not a fan of Flesh at all, but it has certainly been getting Booker buzz.
I did not particularly like Flesh but equally it does what if sets out to do and does that very well. I know Chris Power is a Szalay fan and it’s an auto entry so must have a good chance.
Gonna hop in very briefly to add my Booker predictions. Part of it is a wishlist, part is based on what's getting buzz, and part is a (maybe longshot) educated guessesBOOKER BUZZ
Our Evenings - Alan Hollighurst
Flesh - David Szalay
Theft - Abdulrazak Gurnah
Will There Ever Be Another You - Patricia Lockwood
The City Changes Its Face - Eimear McBride
Days of Light - Megan Hunter
PERSONAL WISHLIST (still inside the realm of possibility)
Audition - Katie Kitamura
The Mobius Book - Catherine Lacey (not sure if eligible but tend to lean yes, it is)
A New New Me - Helen Oyeyemi
The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny - Kiran Desai
EDUCATED GUESSES - THE AMERICANS ((With everything happening under a certain administration in the States with two Americans on the judging panel, certain trans identity and pregnancy-related books might get extra attention))
Disappoint Me - Nicola Dinan
The Girls Who Grew Big - Leila Mottley
Stag Dance - Torrey Peters
I wonder with current world affairs.. is it going to be bleak or uplifting reads this year...?
Thanks Garrett. I have read 11 of those and have the Peters lined up to read - it’s another alongside the Lacey of debatable eligibility given its novella plea three short stories structure. Not read Dinan.
I went to check if Ben’s video was up and got nervous when I saw he was taking a break from YT. Happy to hear he’ll be returning to do a prediction video as I always love his publisher analysis.
This is an interesting year for me with the Booker. I have read more eligible books than in any previous year I believe, including eight of the top ten in our list of Booker eligibles, but instead of wishing the list will feature those I have read, I find myself feeling the opposite, wanting the judges to pick books I haven't read and hoping that the best of the year is among those I haven't read. Part of this is because I haven't felt many of the books I read stand out, but it also could be that I want my Booker list to continue to be a rewarding read so I have found myself actually saving books until after the longlist is revealed before I get to them, so in case they make the list, I will be able to read them then. But now with roughly a month before the list is revealed, I hope to start discussing some of this year's books and why I would like to see them on the list.One book that I thought was excellent and wouldn't be surprised to see on the list is The History of Sound by Ben Shattuck. This book got some attention in the U.S. last year and I wouldn't normally give it consideration because of that, but it may be fresh to the U.K. audience since it hasn't been touted as much as in the U.S. But another reason this may get some consideration is that it is a publicist's dream. The title story in this book has been made into a film, already premiered at Cannes, and due for release in September. The writer, Ben Shattuck, is a likable intelligent and accomplished individual with great presence and he happens to be married to the actress Jenny Slate and if you just think of the potential publicity possibilities, you can see why this book is attractive. But best of all it is a great book. So though I am not expecting History of Sound on the longlist, I definitely would not be surprised to see it there.
I'm a little in the opposite camp.It's certainly good when the Booker throws up a novel I wouldn't otherwise have read, and which becomes a favourite of the year - books like Study for Obedience; Treacle Walker; The Colony; Lanny; or Milkman say.
But it's a rare event (about one book a year) and other prizes like the Goldsmiths are better for that.
The Booker's strength it its brand and publicity machine - it gets 600,000 copies sold of a book with a character called "tablet girl's disconcerting shiny sister".
So I want to see it feature at least some of the best books of the year, which is why last year's list was so disappointing.
This year I would be very disappointed not to see a good selection from:
Audition
Happiness and Love
Endling
Universality
We Pretty Pieces of Flesh (not read)
Rest of my list - but here I am hampered by not reading many eligible books:
Monaghan
Aerth
Theory and Practice (not read)
TonyInterruptor
The Expansion Project
To Rest Our Minds and Bodies
Gliff
Did you mean A New New Me rather than Parasol Against The Axe
While I'm thinking of it, seeing some of you have posted lists....These are books I have read (except the last which is not yet released) that I think are worthy of longlisting:
Endling by Maria Reva
Nesting by Roisin O'Donnell
Time of the Child by Niall Williams
Twist by Colum McCann
Audition by Katie Kitamura
Universality by Natasha Brown
Three Days in June by Anne Tyler
The Boy from the Sea by Garrett Carr
Theft by Abdulrazak Gurnah
The Book of Records by Madeleine Thien
The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong
The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai
Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Others that seem like "Booker books" that I would not be surprised to see listed - I've read the first two but the last two are not yet released:
Gliff by Ali Smith - may not have been submitted
The Imagined Life by Andrew Porter
People Like Us by Jason Mott
Parallel Lines by Edward St. Aubyn
A two really wonderful books that are not eligible (thanks, GY):
Sing to Me by Jesse Browner - ineligible due to lack of UK publisher
Heart, Be at Peace by Donal Ryan - eligible last year
I have read 12 of your list - the 13th Sing To Me is not eligible I believe as no UK publisher. Given I am trying to compile prediction lists for you want to substitute one of your others.
There is always at least one that hasn't been released so I'm going with The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai. I've read and enjoyed this author in the past. I am always hesitant to put books on my list that I haven't read, but there's no way I can read them all before the list comes out. I've updated my post above to add the links and the latest update.
Thanks, GY!
What are the eleigibility dates this year?
1st October to 30 September (as every year I think)
Sorry to have not spotted earlier but of course Heart Be At Peace was eligible last year and surprisingly (given one judge Justine Jordan was a known huge fan of Ryan and even gave its prequel a book award when a judge) omitted. What do you want to substitute?
I should do a better job of checking what's eligible. Sorry about that. I'll substitute Dream Count.
That’s why we have obsessive eligibility police (like me) to assist!! The Listopia is airways as good place - it’s not exhaustive but if a book is not there it’s worth checking Waterstones to see when they have it on sale
Thanks, I'll try to remember to check Waterstones in the future.
Emmeline wrote: "What are the eleigibility dates this year?"Ah sorry, I saw you post something about "new eligibility rules" upthread.
Sam wrote: "This is an interesting year for me with the Booker. I have read more eligible books than in any previous year I believe, including eight of the top ten in our list of Booker eligibles, but instead ..."Sam, I found A History of Sound to be very admirable, but given that it's a story collection, I'm not sure it fits. I appreciate (and liked very much) how each of two of the stories connected, but I don't think it makes for a narrative whole.
Cindy wrote: Sam, I found A History of Sound to be very admirable, but given that it's a story collection, I'm not sure it fits. I appreciate (and liked very much) how each of two of the stories connected, but I don't think it makes for a narrative whole.."I know what you mean but the stories are also a cultural history of New England as well as being paired, so technically they could see it as a whole. Stranger moves have been made.
I have Mobius Book coming up next and I am curious if that will be considered as eligible, not considering if it is quality worthy since I am only picking it up today.
Sam wrote: "Cindy wrote: Sam, I found A History of Sound to be very admirable, but given that it's a story collection, I'm not sure it fits. I appreciate (and liked very much) how each of two of the stories co..."I hear you Sam. I would be delighted if it were there. I just meant to express doubt. And I had the impression that Mobius Book was not really fiction. Is that wrong?
Publisher's comment:A hybrid work with no beginning or ending, readable from either side, The Möbius Book troubles the line between memory and fiction with an openhearted defense of faith’s power, and inherent danger.
Sam wrote: "Publisher's comment:A hybrid work with no beginning or ending, readable from either side, The Möbius Book troubles the line between memory and fiction with an openhearted defense of faith’s power..."
In other words, it can be whatever the reader wants it to be?
Charlie Brook Reads posted a Booker "wishlist" that has more than 13 books on it, but I think it may count as a prediction video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdNCj...
Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "Has anyone read the upcoming novel from Madeline Thien - her book since her Booker and WP shortlisted “Do Not Say We Have Nothing”"I have read this. I have mixed feelings about it. I thought some parts were very well done and other parts were heavy-handed and not well executed. I was moved by it but I think it could have been much shorter and tighter.
I tried The Book of Records and could not get into it at all. I decided to put it back on the shelf pending it making the longlist, in which case I might try it again. It did not immediately appeal to me.
I struggled with The Book of Records too but also may revisit it if it makes the longlist.
A few comments Charliebrookrreads and Charles Hearhcote picked 14 books but one was ineligible so their list ends at 13
The Mobius book is I think eligible enough for the judges to consider it but one half is very much autobiographical (and not auto fictional as a number of MSM reviews seem to think). Not sure I will ever read another Jess Ball though.
I liked The Book of Records but did not love it.
Regarding The Book of Records, I enjoyed thinking about it afterward more than the actual experience of reading it (if that makes any sense).
Joy D wrote: "Regarding The Book of Records, I enjoyed thinking about it afterward more than the actual experience of reading it (if that makes any sense)."That makes a lot of sense to me, actually. It was more engaging as a concept than in its execution.
Currently reading Ripeness by Sarah Moss and think it could be a contender for the long list. It’s beautifully written and so well observed.
Cindy wrote: "Joy D wrote: "Regarding The Book of Records, I enjoyed thinking about it afterward more than the actual experience of reading it (if that makes any sense)."That makes a lot of sense to me, actual..."
Joy and Cindy: I get what you're both saying, but I disagree: I found both the reading of The Book of Records, AND the "thinking about it afterwards" to be equally absorbing. Whilst reading it I realised I'd never read a word of Hannah Arendt's, and when I finished I bought a copy of the Banality of Evil, and devoured that, too. Arendt's story was the most absorbing, but the others got my attention also. I'm very curious to see what the Booker judges make of it.
For me, thinking about it afterward made me appreciate it so much more that I would love to see it on the longlist and discuss it with this group. It also spurred me to look up more information on all three of the philosophers.
Susan Choi newest novel Flashlight will be published in few days in UK. It is critically acclaimed by the British press, notably The Guardian, The Telegraph and today's The Financial Times. Has anyone read it? For me it was 4.5 stars read. Captivating with a great style but I felt that it needed some editing
I think a novel that might be in with a chance of long listing is Nova Scotia House. I don't think I've seen it mentioned but it's brilliant.
Here is Ben's prediction video, and it was well worth the wait! Welcome back to YouTube Ben!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdOeK...
I have read 9 of that list and agree with Ben on We Pretty Things as a potential winner. As Cherie on Instagram has pointed out the other book blurbed by Kiley Reid is The Tiny Things Are Heavier (which set largely in Lagos may also appeal to a second judge).
I confess that I had never heard of The Other Wife, which is being published in the US on July 15th, and the reviews have been middling at best.
Cindy wrote: "I confess that I had never heard of The Other Wife, which is being published in the US on July 15th, and the reviews have been middling at best."Ben says the same so I was wondering why he included it but then of course he revealed the effusive blurb
Alwynne wrote: "Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "A few comments Charliebrookrreads and Charles Hearhcote picked 14 books but one was ineligible so their list ends at 13
The Mobius book is I think eligibl..."
Much better put than me and I agree completely.
I was having a conversation about the truth(?)/verisimilitude(?) of unbiased autofiction. Impossible. And in Airey's case, I found myself questioning her reality and what her perception of it. Explaining, not all that is real can make you feel, and not all that you feel is universal. I hope it makes sense.
Carl wrote: "I was having a conversation about the truth(?)/verisimilitude(?) of unbiased autofiction. Impossible. And in Airey's case, I found myself questioning her reality and what her perception of it. Expl..."Did you mean Lacey? Catherine Airey is the author of Confessions which I think is more straight Fiction.
Lacey does seem very exercised about half of her novel not being auto fictional - she has posted a whole article about it in her Substack.
I just started Helm by Sarah Hall - early days but I think it’s a very strong contender for the prize from the first 50 pages.
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The Mookse and the Gripes
Books mentioned in this topic
TonyInterruptor (other topics)Never Let Me Go (other topics)
Never Let Me Go (other topics)
Flashlight (other topics)
The Land in Winter (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Maria Reva (other topics)Colwill Brown (other topics)
Nussaibah Younis (other topics)
Maria Reva (other topics)
Madeleine Thien (other topics)
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I agree Gumble, it’s not perfect, but certainly worthy of some attention.