I think that you will enjoy the audio of James. I read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn when I was a child. Growing up in the South (USA), it was on the required reading list. (Note: older generation here). James is so refreshing to read. I loved it. I love to follow all the prizes. I try to read all the long list of the Booker and Women's Prize for Fiction. Thank you for doing this subject. I always appreciate your thoughts.
Just finished Erasure by Percival Everett. Wonderful novel. He has such a strong voice and beautiful sense of humanity. Like you, most of my reading is female authors. Most of my favorite authors are female. But I have now read two books by Everett, also read The Trees, and find him a very compelling read. Will definitely be reading James, and because I read Twain’s novel many decades ago, I’ll give that a reread before diving into James. Erasure would be a good starting point for Everett, as it feels very personal.
I'm over halfway through Orbital right now. It's definitely vague and philosophical. "No plot, just vibes" is how I saw someone else describe it. But the beautiful writing is definitely there too.
Great to hear your thoughts on these and glad to hear your enthusiasm for The Safekeep since that’s the novel from the list I’ll be reading next. I’m so glad you’re eager to read more of My Friends which I think is really brilliant. I just finished Enlightenment and also felt a bit disappointed by it. I really enjoyed Headshot but I get why it’s not for some readers as the style of writing about consciousness is something I really enjoy - I fear you won’t enjoy Orbital for the same reason. I don’t love satire either but I love James and feel like it’s a story with so much heart. Just read the Wikipedia summary of Huck Finn before reading James and that’s all you need to know but fair enough if you’re not drawn to reading it.
The Pulitzer is specifically focused on "the great American novel", narratives to do with American life. At least they have now opened it to authors living in the US, not just American citizens. James is a good book, but for me it was the same experience as reading Trust - a book I can admire, but didn't love and didn't particularly enjoyed the reading experience (I loved The Trees though). The Overstory was so different from Bewilderment, which I loved, so I have big expectations from Playground. I finished Orbital a couple of days ago, and as a science buff who reads a lot of popular science nonfiction (with a focus on astronomy) and enjoys philosophical discussions, it was definitely right up my alley (not quite 5 stars, but not far from). I'm currently half way through Headshot and I'm enjoying it. I started reading My Friends a while ago, but it ended up going back to the library because I couldn't focus on the story at that time, but I could tell it was a book I would eventually return to. Definitely interested in The Safekeep, Enlightenment, Wandering Stars, Creation Lake and Wild Houses.
I probably read Huckleberry Finn 60 years ago, but I did refresh myself with the short synopsis… James is wonderful book And I think you will engage with Jim/James… the satire in this book is minimal in my opinion…
Thank you! I've read "My Friends," which I found humorless, and "James" was a great adventure. "Wandering Stars" looks of interest to me, and you've sparked my interest in "The Safe Keep." I totally agree with you regarding diversity, and you mentioned a Nigerian author wasn't included, and I'm feeling it would have been fabulous if "Blessings" by Chuwuebuka Ibeh had been the inclusion.
totally agree with the trepidation around satire in books, I DNF'd The Trees because I just wanted the narrative voice to be way more serious in tone. I probably won't read James for the same reasons - not to mention the fact that I skipped the Huckleberry Finn seminar at uni and went to the pub instead, so there's that x
It is rubbish that a lot of the list is Penguin. And yes, less USA and more diversity would be appreciated by me. There a few that I would like to read. Thanks for your perspective
I haven't read any of the books on the longlist. Since the Booker Prize board decided to allow USA writers to compete, I've lost interest in their offerings whereas the Booker Prize used to be my guiding light for choosing books. I realize I'm shooting myself in the foot by ignoring the Booker but I'm a bit of an all-or-nothing person. I'm aghast at how American exceptionalism is still so readily adopted worldwide, especially since the USA now lurks very low in so many categories of development (see the UN and other lists). As for The Natural Way of Things and The Overstory, you've put into words my responses. Thank you. My stomach turns every time I recall the Natural Way of Things.
Read James! It's not "satirical" as in "haha". It's very moving a powerful about a slave who transforms from Jim to James by fighting for his life and his dignity by the power of his mind. Huck Finn is a side character in this retelling, but a very satisfying twist ties it to the original story (genius!). Don't overthink this one, you will miss out!
I haven't read The Overstory, but your description of the writing/narration style is exactly what bothered me about his other book, Bewilderment. Very interested to hear your thoughts on his new one, if you end up reading it, as it might push me one way or the other to read it too :) I have Young Skins by Colin Barrett on my tbr for this month, which will determine whether I'll read his longlisted novel. I very much agree with your sentiment regarding the lack of diversity on this list!
I never read through the Booker long or short list because of the issue you've also mentioned. Some books always sound interesting, but I usually wait until booktubers/bookstagramers I trust talk about their experience reading those before I purchase them. Sometimes this means putting off reading some books for years. I feel exactly the same this year as well. Agree on the satire being off putting part. Even though the premise alone would be interesting. Also agree on the Richard Powers great American author voice thing, even though I like the Overstory a lot. It is a spot on description of his style.
I htink I haven't been less interested in the books on the longlist of the booker prize. I only read Orbital and didn't particularly like it and with James I feel it is too hyped to read at this point. Aside from not being interested in the premise. Which is most of these for me. I'm only halfway surprised, not doing well with popular or acclaimed literary fiction lately. Loved hearing your thoughts.
Great video as usual. I’m attempting the longlist (did it in 2021 and 2022, but fell away last year). So far I’ve read: My Friends, which I thought was fantastic - a definite 5-star read for me. Enlightenment, which I also thought would be 5-star, but ended up around 4-4.5 for being too long IMO. But beautifully written and very thoughtful (FWIW, I have tried Perry’s previous work and not been particularly enamoured/enthusiastic about) I have tried starting the Messud three times now, which does not bode well, but it’s the only book so far that I have picked up in audio so I’m wondering if that’s the problem…or whether it’s just tedious! 😂 I struggled through The Trees a while back when it was on some prize list (previous Booker…? 🤔), and didn’t enjoy it at all. But, like others here, I don’t often/ever enjoy satire. So I’ve started James with a degree of trepidation…particularly as I haven’t read Huckleberry Finn. So we shall see… I am dreading the Kushner as I hated the Mars Room (which for me read like Kushner had wanted to write a non-fiction book about women, class, structural inequality and criminal justice system , but couldn’t be bothered with the level of factual /research rigour that would require, so just decided to write some fiction about it without much additional thought), and DNFed The Flamethrowers for being tedious. But I shall give her a third try in the name of being a sad completionist! Good luck with your reading - hope you find some great reads in addition to the Safe Keep! 😊
I’ve just finished The Trees by Percival Everett by chance, and I loved it. Complete 5 star. Totally not the usual thing I’d pick up, as I’m not a satirical fan either. He’s not a writer I’d read again. It felt like a trip to a fancy restaurant. I enjoyed the experience for the novelty- he really is very impressive- but it’s not to my taste enough to repeat. If that makes sense!
I just finished reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn today. I loved James without having read it, but I tend to love satire. After reading Huckleberry Finn, I can honestly say that it does nothing for the story. I didn’t even like it much. It felt like it was actually intended for children. Maybe it was. But if you don’t like satire, James is not the book for you.
Such a good run-through of this list! Never read any of these authors, though I'd heard about some of them before, so hearing your insights was great. I was disappointed at the paucity of independent publishers. Until I get some full reviews of the books I don't think I'll pick any up. I didn't read any from last year lol.
It’s good to hear that you enjoyed The Safekeep. I definitely want to try that soon. I have just started Wandering Stars and I am enjoying the little bit I have read so far. With any longlist I just want to find some new favourites so hopefully I do and I hope you do too. Great to hear your reaction to the list Mercedes ❤
I really didn’t like The Natural Way of Things at all but I have enjoyed other books by Charlotte Wood - although I started Stone Yard Devotional and put it aside. I prefer her earlier books. I’ve been to an author talk with her too and she was fab. I’m excited to see an Aussie author make the longlist. 😊
I couldn't stand The Natural Way of Things either, but I think I'm going to give this one a chance. If I don't like it then she's definitely not an author for me! Creation Lake was the one I'm most interested in, and it's so annoying that it's not out until September. I do have Orbital and James out from the library and will give both if them a go, even though I'm not sure either of them are my kind of novels.
I finished James on audio yesterday. Very well narrated. Well written. But I felt the book was just OK. I've recently read Erasure by Percival Everett, also on audio. I really liked that one. I've not read Huckleberry Finn. Might I have enjoyed James more if I'd known the story it was commenting on? Maybe. But I'm not interested in reading it.
I understand your reservations about James but a bit confused by the other comments apprehension. However, I would say something more your taste from Percival Everett, given the outline you gave here, would be So Much Blue. I'm not sure how you'd personally feel about reading Huck Finn but it is also satirical.
When the long list was announced, I’d read three. Stone Yard Devotional is good Orbital is ok Enlightenment is disappointing I’ve started listening to the audio of Wild Houses It’s set in Mayo and the accent is a joy to hear. So far it’s very good. I’ve got My Friends James The Safekeep Waiting on my audio TBR.
Loved hearing your thoughts on this year’s list. I think your thoughts are in general pretty aligned with mine. Creation Lake has such a good premise but I too was not a massive fan of The Mars Room (also your ability to remember why you did or didn’t like certain books over the years is crazy. I read MarsRoom around the same time you did and I remember nothing in particular about why I didn’t like it, just that it didn’t work haha). The Safe Keep, Held, Headshot, Wild Houses and My Friends are the ones I really want to read. Can’t wait to see more of your thoughts. Cheers!
Thank you for explaining my feelings about this year's longlist. Too many meditations and too few distinct voices. I'm only interested in two or three...
Love the way you put your thoughts together for this video. I loved Overstory, I still mention it as one of my favorites of all time. Sorry it did not hit for you.
I have only read James from the list. I reread Hick Finn before I did that - you can look at the Wikipedia summary, which is very good, instead of reading it and you will get all you need. But I did not like it. This has always been the case with Everett’s book- I always love his ideas, but hate the writing style and just the general way he tells a story. I’d never understand the hype surrounding him.
I also completely agree that Americans should not be eligible, even as an American. It is ironic that opening up the prize more has led to less diversity (using that word very broadly)
First, I have to say that I agree with you 100% about the American presence on the longlist. As an American I can tell you that it was the diversity with Booker that was always so wonderful for me. I think that maybe words should be said to the Booker Foundation that might help to respectfully nudge them back in the right direction. I too always love to see what books on the list I have read or have on my TBR - it was only a few this year. I just finished Orbital and *oh my* . It is one of the most beautiful things I have read in a very long time. I am not sure if you will like it after hearing your comments, but I would *love* to hear your thoughts on it if you decide to read it. Yes, it felt philosophical but *not* like a boring deliberately over-complicated philosophy lecture. I'll include the short review I put on StoryGraph: It is a plotless book, so, it'll help if you like that sort of thing. Six astronauts and cosmonauts are on the International Space Station and the book covers a single day - 16 orbits around the Earth. This phenomenal work is a stunning love letter to our planet and to humanity told in epiphanic observation. I gave it 5 stars and quite literally cannot get it off my mind.
Hi Mercy, I have to say this is the first year I was aware of the booker award, I saw your video about the womens prize and other prizes before, maybe Booker, but this time I heard loads of great reviews for the book James, and I have to tell u, I watched, loved and read Huck Finn when it was on CBBC when I was a kid, so I didnt like the concept. James is by a black American author and he is writing the story of Slave man Jim in the Huckleberry Finn and I am actually quite annoyed that he essentially has stolen Mark Twain's entire world that he created without asking. Nevertheless, I had 7 audible credits to use, and I sampled it and like u thought it sounded okay, and bought it, and have been listening since, and it is a very fair and accomplished version, and I dont hate what he has done, though it sounds as I would expect based on my knowledge of the story and era from Mark Twain - who wrote in a way we would consider rascist now. But I did pick it in part cos I love all that old American south history and so on, like you are intersted in prisions etc. Do you have a point of view on whether there is a dearth of fresh ideas that gain great popularity. I suppose JK Rowling is about the latest I can think of, and of course she had influences but it was a new "world" so to speak. I dont think you will hate this audiobook, I think parts will touch u, but it is male led. anyhoo :-) I wrote too much, I should look up the discourse Bye for now x
Great content as always, thanks Mercedes! 🩵 I’m going to ‘try’ the whole long list this year but there’s a few I’m less enthusiastic about for sure. I also haven’t always loved Charlotte Wood & I’m currently reading Stone Yard Devotional. While I can appreciate its craft, I wish someone had flagged a trigger warning re the mouse plague & its consequences! My Friends is next on the list, which I’m really looking forward too.
