Revealing 'the fault lines of our times', the list features the largest number of women in the Booker’s 55-year history and authors from five countries
Having read “James”, I thought it would be shortlisted. If you liked “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” you’ll love “James”. I am a slow reader, so will turn next to “Orbital” and “The Stone Yard Devotional”, the summaries of which appealed to me and led me to believe that they might be shortlisted.
For sheer originality of perspective, in every sense of the term, and the blending of lyricism with speculation on the nature of connections between humans across space and time, Orbital gets my vote! This is an extraordinary contribution to how the novel as a genre handles narrative.
James is no doubt an interesting novel, but Jean Rhys's revisioning of Jane Eyre with Wide Sargasso Sea set this trend decades ago.
It's a great Booker shirt list and I'm looking forward to reading them all. But does anybody NOT think that it's inevitable that it will go to *James*? Percival Everett is a great guy and an even better author. It's just seems that right now all the stars are aligned for him - and I couldn't be happier. :-)
After long listing for “The Trees”, which managed to be both very funny and horrifying, and original, Percy’s time may have come. Only the judges and some who read all six shortlisted books, will know.
Sadly, there are many unpublished books that absolutely trounce this list, but you probably won’t know about them for another 50 years when they get “rediscovered.”
It won't matter if I name them, because they aren't available to read (outside of the original manuscript). But one recent example is called Center of Mass, about the effects of war on the lives and psyches of a host of characters, both near and long term, set following WW2. It is roughly 340,000 words.
Yes the 1st on my list is “Orbital” pulled me right into it, beckoning me to read it for its a dynamic work of fiction? Original and thought provoking words on a sterile white page which is the vortex of a fabulous journey.
It was so beautifully descriptive. Loved the perspective and the short stories about each person like a slice of life just like there quick glimpses we got of earth.
Amazing stories of humanity in all its forms and foibles; creatively they all have the pull me into the book world that shapes each author’s story. I’m a huge book nerd and I am always way ahead in my books journey through the thing we call life, I’ve been a reader since I was 5 and started to read the Encyclopedia, that had just come to the house via a encounter with the best salesman at the Puyallup Fair. I’ve never stopped reading, it is the driving force, keeping me alive and thriving.
Having read “James”, I thought it would be shortlisted. If you liked “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” you’ll love “James”. I am a slow reader, so will turn next to “Orbital” and “The Stone Yard Devotional”, the summaries of which appealed to me and led me to believe that they might be shortlisted.
Great choices, Rafael! we hope you find a new favourite among those!
For sheer originality of perspective, in every sense of the term, and the blending of lyricism with speculation on the nature of connections between humans across space and time, Orbital gets my vote! This is an extraordinary contribution to how the novel as a genre handles narrative.
James is no doubt an interesting novel, but Jean Rhys's revisioning of Jane Eyre with Wide Sargasso Sea set this trend decades ago.
We're so glad you loved Orbital 👌
Agree about Wild Sargossa Sea, which was excellent.
It's a great Booker shirt list and I'm looking forward to reading them all. But does anybody NOT think that it's inevitable that it will go to *James*? Percival Everett is a great guy and an even better author. It's just seems that right now all the stars are aligned for him - and I couldn't be happier. :-)
After long listing for “The Trees”, which managed to be both very funny and horrifying, and original, Percy’s time may have come. Only the judges and some who read all six shortlisted books, will know.
Looks like a great shortlist. I loved The Shapeless Unease by Samantha Harvey, so particularly excited to read Orbital!
Heartiest congratulations to the authors,and their publishers 🎉🎊🎉📚🎉🎊🎉
Thanks for your continued support Ibrahim!
🙏💕📚💕🙏
Congratulations to these authors! It's so interesting to actually see the judging panel.
I’m personally loving the diverse panel - as a WOC I’m here for it!
Sadly, there are many unpublished books that absolutely trounce this list, but you probably won’t know about them for another 50 years when they get “rediscovered.”
Which books, for example?
It won't matter if I name them, because they aren't available to read (outside of the original manuscript). But one recent example is called Center of Mass, about the effects of war on the lives and psyches of a host of characters, both near and long term, set following WW2. It is roughly 340,000 words.
Noted, with thanks.
3 books I really loved were there: James, Safekeep and Stoneyard.
3 books which should not have even been on the Longlist: Creation Lake, Held and Orbit.
Those 3 must have been bargained in as a judge's pet.
Oh well 50 % ain't bad ? but
My Friends left off. Shameful Shameful
It's Orbital. And no, they weren't, what a ridiculous assertion.
‘?
I absolutely loved The Safekeep 🧡
Thanks ,but I find my own way^^
Crap, mine didn’t get picked. Again.
Just finished my third!
Waiting to pick up my copy of Yael's book. Love the premise.
Yes the 1st on my list is “Orbital” pulled me right into it, beckoning me to read it for its a dynamic work of fiction? Original and thought provoking words on a sterile white page which is the vortex of a fabulous journey.
It was so beautifully descriptive. Loved the perspective and the short stories about each person like a slice of life just like there quick glimpses we got of earth.
Amazing stories of humanity in all its forms and foibles; creatively they all have the pull me into the book world that shapes each author’s story. I’m a huge book nerd and I am always way ahead in my books journey through the thing we call life, I’ve been a reader since I was 5 and started to read the Encyclopedia, that had just come to the house via a encounter with the best salesman at the Puyallup Fair. I’ve never stopped reading, it is the driving force, keeping me alive and thriving.
Just Read a Book and See a New World.