How to follow this year's winner announcement live; plus, the Booker Prizes team's all-time favourite winners; and the steamiest books in the Booker Library
The book the world needs to read is Orbital. This is the perspective we must share...otherwise I'm afraid our beautiful blue dot will be lost and so will we. We all know this . Her writing is just superb: a new space lyricism, a love poem , a kind humanity.
I liked Held by Anne Michaels a lot, hope she wins the prize, enjoyed reading Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner and Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood, Orbital still to read
Orbital is a novel that takes realism's engagement with time and space to new heights ( literally and figuratively). Its lyrical prose offers a perspective on how we are tied to each other on earth across borders in profound ways, and offers us a planetary perspective of existence, which the 21st century needs. A rich new addition to all those "day in the life of" novels. My favored winner
Other good reads include Orbital (Samantha Harvey) and Stone Yard Devotional (Charlotte Wood).
My quibble would be that I think Playground (Richard Powers) is a sufficiently powerful book, that it should be on the short list, replacing, I suggest, Kushner or Everett.
I think James was a good book, but a one trick novel. Copying another was a risk, and I think the one trick was the two languages, good to expose, but a trick nonetheless.
This is an exceptional novel and my tip for the winner. This covers a few generations, spread over about 110 years, with chapters, randomly presented, from the second decade of the 20th C, one in the1950s, three in the 1980s and finishing in 2010 and 2025, in different geographic locations. The writing is surprising, meaningful and gripping and often very micro. It covers various issues – mostly love and relationships, and also war, maritime fishing communities, the physical environment, scientific research, death and philosophy and the emotional dynamics of relationships. The original text of this shortish book was very engaging.
Percival Everett, James
This novel uses the characters of Mark Twain - Huck, Jim etc. – and follows the journey of a slave James who runs away, followed by Huck, and travels down and up the Missisippi as he first runs and then returns to rescue his wife and daughter. The James is “bilingual” using the black slang when with white people and a normal English speech when with only friendly black people. He also has taught himself to read and write, a skill he does not declare to the white people. Eventually James ends up with his wife and daughter running with him towards the north as the Civil War commences, and there is no further resolution. It canvasses the range of slavery depredations on the black slaves – the cruelty, floggings, rape and mistreatment.
Samantha Harvey, Orbital
This novel in third person voice is a wonderful and stimulating discussion of the perspective of astronauts in low earth orbit making 16 orbits of the earth each day. A multi country crew of six are the means and the ageing space base station is their context. In fact, the context is the universe – earth, space station, moon, stars. The author does a very interesting and readable analysis of various viewpoints on a range of issues, and in many occasions presenting them as alternatives, without expressing a preference for either. In overview it is a message of the unity and interdependence of the people, in spite of the division and malevolent actions of the political classes of each country.
Rachel Kushner, Creation Lake
This novel is about an undercover agent working among French activists as an agent provocateur. The activists are protesting at corporate plans for the water table, which would be used for a mono culture industry, corn, effectively destroying the traditional farming. Among the activists there are a couple of philosophical leaders which lead to factions and the variety of people’s activities and motivations. The first person character narrating is apparently objective, goal oriented and not too judgemental. Her character is emotionally vapid and her relationships are transactional, so that one doesn’t really identify with her. There are interesting debates within the group and some increasing tension as it approaches the climax, which in spite of her attempt at direct intervention, is a random accident.
Yael van der Wouden, The Safekeep
This novel, set in the1960s in Amsterdam and Netherlands explores the effects of WWII on a family. The main character Isabella is a recluse living in a house the family acquired during the war. With a gay brother and a serial philandering brother, she gradually becomes passionately involved with the latter’s girlfriend Eva. This is complicated as it emerges that the family and furniture of the house were indeed from Eva’s parents, who were killed in the war, and so could not keep up the mortgage. Isabella is forthright and independent, as she negotiates the new relationship with Eva, in the context of their histories.
Charlotte Wood, Stone Yard Devotional
This is a thoughtful novel. The central female character has arrived in a religious community of about 8 women and one man in a small country town, probably in NSW. While there, she takes part in the community, while keeping her more critical comments unspoken. In the course of the novel, the childhoods of herself and others are described and the outcomes also outlined, as well as descriptions of events relating to their parents. Aside from the daily religious rituals, a couple of people she has known since school are there in various roles. One who could be called a celebrity activist is a very different person. The central character manages to describe and analyse the dynamics and the histories, in an objective and accepting manner, displaying empathy and compassion. It is a good work about female friendship and community,
Long list Books 2024
Claire Messud, This Strange Eventful History
This very readable novel is set over about decade intervals from 1940 through to 2027, following a family, who feel French, although they originate as pied-noirs from Algeria. (I think this should be on the short list before a couple of the others.) As they move around the world – Algeria, Massachusetts, Canada, Argentina, Switzerland, Australia, Connecticut, France and New York – and progressively age and the older one pass away, the author explores the internal family dynamics, and also the social class-related behaviours as they manifest in the various cultures and countries. A recurring theme is the bitter sweet conundrum of the emotional connection to Algeria, yet the rootlessness of their life in the various countries. The process and outcomes of various deaths are movingly described, and the Epilogue of 2027 in Algeria forecasts a similar cycle for the younger people to relive the same deracinated lives.
Richard Powers, Playground
I think this should have been on the short list. This is an epic novel travelling from the USA 60s, with two super smart school boys in Detroit one black, the other white, right through to the AI of contemporary life. Bonding in their secondary schooling, including the class issues of bussing to reduce the discrimination, they take different paths as one becomes very rich with the Playground app he owns and develops, while the other develops a specialty in poetry and antique books. In parallel, there is a woman who becomes focused on the world ocean underwater, after her father, who developed the early scuba equipment exposed her to the scuba experience early on. Another thread through this is the colonial history of Makatoa, a Tahiti island which eventually brings the characters together in the climax. This novel explores the relationships among the characters, aspects of literature and poetry, the politics and dynamics of the post- and pre-colonial world.
The book the world needs to read is Orbital. This is the perspective we must share...otherwise I'm afraid our beautiful blue dot will be lost and so will we. We all know this . Her writing is just superb: a new space lyricism, a love poem , a kind humanity.
I liked Held by Anne Michaels a lot, hope she wins the prize, enjoyed reading Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner and Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood, Orbital still to read
A love letter to our blue orb 🌏❣️
Orbital is a novel that takes realism's engagement with time and space to new heights ( literally and figuratively). Its lyrical prose offers a perspective on how we are tied to each other on earth across borders in profound ways, and offers us a planetary perspective of existence, which the 21st century needs. A rich new addition to all those "day in the life of" novels. My favored winner
-- a work of originality, wisdom, and beauty.
I have now read the long list.
My conclusions are:
I think Anna Michaels (Held) has the best book.
Other good reads include Orbital (Samantha Harvey) and Stone Yard Devotional (Charlotte Wood).
My quibble would be that I think Playground (Richard Powers) is a sufficiently powerful book, that it should be on the short list, replacing, I suggest, Kushner or Everett.
Although I think 'James' will win. Stone Yard Devotional is extraordinary.
I think James was a good book, but a one trick novel. Copying another was a risk, and I think the one trick was the two languages, good to expose, but a trick nonetheless.
Stone Yard Devotional was my favorite!!! James will win. And that’s ok. Strongest short list in years.
James! No doubt!
James is the one I am rooting for.
Waiting impatiently 💗💓📚💗💓
Short List
Anne Michaels, Held
This is an exceptional novel and my tip for the winner. This covers a few generations, spread over about 110 years, with chapters, randomly presented, from the second decade of the 20th C, one in the1950s, three in the 1980s and finishing in 2010 and 2025, in different geographic locations. The writing is surprising, meaningful and gripping and often very micro. It covers various issues – mostly love and relationships, and also war, maritime fishing communities, the physical environment, scientific research, death and philosophy and the emotional dynamics of relationships. The original text of this shortish book was very engaging.
Percival Everett, James
This novel uses the characters of Mark Twain - Huck, Jim etc. – and follows the journey of a slave James who runs away, followed by Huck, and travels down and up the Missisippi as he first runs and then returns to rescue his wife and daughter. The James is “bilingual” using the black slang when with white people and a normal English speech when with only friendly black people. He also has taught himself to read and write, a skill he does not declare to the white people. Eventually James ends up with his wife and daughter running with him towards the north as the Civil War commences, and there is no further resolution. It canvasses the range of slavery depredations on the black slaves – the cruelty, floggings, rape and mistreatment.
Samantha Harvey, Orbital
This novel in third person voice is a wonderful and stimulating discussion of the perspective of astronauts in low earth orbit making 16 orbits of the earth each day. A multi country crew of six are the means and the ageing space base station is their context. In fact, the context is the universe – earth, space station, moon, stars. The author does a very interesting and readable analysis of various viewpoints on a range of issues, and in many occasions presenting them as alternatives, without expressing a preference for either. In overview it is a message of the unity and interdependence of the people, in spite of the division and malevolent actions of the political classes of each country.
Rachel Kushner, Creation Lake
This novel is about an undercover agent working among French activists as an agent provocateur. The activists are protesting at corporate plans for the water table, which would be used for a mono culture industry, corn, effectively destroying the traditional farming. Among the activists there are a couple of philosophical leaders which lead to factions and the variety of people’s activities and motivations. The first person character narrating is apparently objective, goal oriented and not too judgemental. Her character is emotionally vapid and her relationships are transactional, so that one doesn’t really identify with her. There are interesting debates within the group and some increasing tension as it approaches the climax, which in spite of her attempt at direct intervention, is a random accident.
Yael van der Wouden, The Safekeep
This novel, set in the1960s in Amsterdam and Netherlands explores the effects of WWII on a family. The main character Isabella is a recluse living in a house the family acquired during the war. With a gay brother and a serial philandering brother, she gradually becomes passionately involved with the latter’s girlfriend Eva. This is complicated as it emerges that the family and furniture of the house were indeed from Eva’s parents, who were killed in the war, and so could not keep up the mortgage. Isabella is forthright and independent, as she negotiates the new relationship with Eva, in the context of their histories.
Charlotte Wood, Stone Yard Devotional
This is a thoughtful novel. The central female character has arrived in a religious community of about 8 women and one man in a small country town, probably in NSW. While there, she takes part in the community, while keeping her more critical comments unspoken. In the course of the novel, the childhoods of herself and others are described and the outcomes also outlined, as well as descriptions of events relating to their parents. Aside from the daily religious rituals, a couple of people she has known since school are there in various roles. One who could be called a celebrity activist is a very different person. The central character manages to describe and analyse the dynamics and the histories, in an objective and accepting manner, displaying empathy and compassion. It is a good work about female friendship and community,
Long list Books 2024
Claire Messud, This Strange Eventful History
This very readable novel is set over about decade intervals from 1940 through to 2027, following a family, who feel French, although they originate as pied-noirs from Algeria. (I think this should be on the short list before a couple of the others.) As they move around the world – Algeria, Massachusetts, Canada, Argentina, Switzerland, Australia, Connecticut, France and New York – and progressively age and the older one pass away, the author explores the internal family dynamics, and also the social class-related behaviours as they manifest in the various cultures and countries. A recurring theme is the bitter sweet conundrum of the emotional connection to Algeria, yet the rootlessness of their life in the various countries. The process and outcomes of various deaths are movingly described, and the Epilogue of 2027 in Algeria forecasts a similar cycle for the younger people to relive the same deracinated lives.
Richard Powers, Playground
I think this should have been on the short list. This is an epic novel travelling from the USA 60s, with two super smart school boys in Detroit one black, the other white, right through to the AI of contemporary life. Bonding in their secondary schooling, including the class issues of bussing to reduce the discrimination, they take different paths as one becomes very rich with the Playground app he owns and develops, while the other develops a specialty in poetry and antique books. In parallel, there is a woman who becomes focused on the world ocean underwater, after her father, who developed the early scuba equipment exposed her to the scuba experience early on. Another thread through this is the colonial history of Makatoa, a Tahiti island which eventually brings the characters together in the climax. This novel explores the relationships among the characters, aspects of literature and poetry, the politics and dynamics of the post- and pre-colonial world.