My choice is Brotherless night. It was super and war from a female prospective. I learnt so much and it was not gratuitous. I found Soldier Sailor too whiney, and Enter Ghost underwhelming . Perhaps it was overhyped.
Yes! I think that’s a great way of describing it- it so easily could have been over the top and very dramatic, but I loved that it wasn’t gratuitous- it showed a lot of restraint!
I couldnt get into soldier sailor...Ive had children myself and I found the opening pages just put me off going back to babies!....Brotherless night was very good, the wren the wren very well written even if I found it hard to remember the story once I closed the last page...I am reading enter ghosts which is beautifully written but it is taking me a long time to read...its not a book to flash through and not savour every sentence...There are some brilliant books here which I have thoroughly enjoyed reading...something which didnt happen with the booker prize last year. If I have to choose I go with brotherless night...
Ahh, totally fair! Glad to hear you’re enjoying Enter Ghost! There’s something about the force of the sentences that really makes you want to sit with it. I think Brotherless Night would be a fab winner!
I don't think Kate Grenville really got a hold of Dolly Maunder so that she just keeps repeating the same notes throughout the book (dissatisfaction, new job, success, dissatisfaction, quits job, moves, etc.). I found Soldier Sailor intolerable. I would have DNFed it if my goal was not to finish every longlisted book. I know I'm in the minority. I found it predictable, whiny, and it doesn't really examine the character's privilege. It felt like I was being held hostage by an emotional vampire. Enright is a master of wonderful prose but the storyline left me cold especially the modern day story. I didn't care about the daughter/granddaughter. There are also some weird tributaries (animal abuse for ex.) that Enright goes into that didn't do much for me. River East, River West was a first rate book for me although I much preferred the stepfather's story. Enter Ghost was another slog to get through but I commented on that book before. My choice for the winner would be Brotherless Night.
Yeah, that’s a good way of describing the issues I had with it! I felt like I was just watching a set of things happen. Totally fair about Soldier Sailor! But yes, such a great shortlist, and I’d be happy for many of them to win!
My favourites are Brotherless Night Enter Ghost I want Enter Ghost to win. Annoyed that Restless Dolly Maunder was shortlisted when there were much better books on the long list. 🍀👋☘️🇮🇪📚📕📖☕️
My problem with Restless Dolly Maunder was that I felt beaten over the head with the main point of the novel by the end. The way it kept nudging as if to say "get it? She's not getting opportunities because she's a woman" was driving me mad.
Aha yes! Between that and the way the character was drawn, I felt like it was the work of a less experienced author, which is such a surprise given Grenville’s stature!
I bailed on the audio version of The Wren. Maybe it is a book best read in print. 😏 Liked but didn’t love Brotherless Night, which I think was due to slower pacing than I would have preferred. I learned a lot! About to read Soldier Sailor. 🤞🏾
My winner, Solider Sailor River East River West Brotherless night The wren the wren Sorry, DF Enter Ghost wanted to like it, but just couldn't connect with Sonia written well. But above Restless Dolly, author should have written Bio .The ending incomplete what happened to her grandfather left on farm ? After Dolly moved into daughters home , grandfather never to be heard off again ? Or did I miss something ?
Yeah. I really liked Soldier Sailor too. The audiobook of it was excellent. I’m currently reading River East River West and really enjoying it. This is a tight literary race. I haven’t yet decided who I’m routing for. I need to read Enter Ghost and Brotherless Night.
I have only read four of the six but it feels like an excellent year. I wasn't tempted by Dolly Maunder and just haven't got to River East River West so perhaps it didn't draw me towards it somehow. Soldier Sailor and Enter Ghost are my top two. Both are memorable and distinctive. Brotherless Night sucked me in and oddly felt like a memoir rather than fiction although it is not. I wouldn't be disappointed if that won. The Wren was great but not my favourite Enright so it would feel like a missed opportunity if that won.
Yes! I had that with Brotherless Night- it’s so close and personal that I forgot it was a novel at times! But I think this is a strong year indeed, so I’m pretty happy with most of them! And yes! It’s wild to me that The Gathering or The Actress weren’t shortlisted.
Thanks Bob, insightful thoughts, as always. I have read and loved both The Wren, The Wren and Soldier Sailor and I am in the middle of reading Dolly Maunder and Enter Ghost....but unfortunately I'm not feeling drawn in by either really. So far my favourite to win would be The Wren The Wren.
I loved The Wren the Wren too. Have just received my copy of Enter Ghost and can’t wait to start. I really enjoyed her book the Parisian. Being Australian I am keen for Kate Grenville to have a good chance! This book, however, not my favourite of hers. Still think the Idea of Perfection published years ago is her best. You have convinced me that Soldier Sailor is worth the outlay. My library doesn’t have a copy and I feel impatient to read it. And of course anyone who writes her socks off must be given a chance! Again thanks Bob. 🤗
Soldier sailor is the best book in this list by a mile. Even if I have only read one other, I cannot imagine any other topping it, and all the reviewers I have seen read all of them agree. So soldier sailor for the win!
