I found your comments on the accessibility of Enter Ghost very interesting. I come from a very different diaspora with its own very complicated relationship with the concept of “homeland” and yet I found so many aspects of Sonia’s experience immediately relatable and understandable on this almost intuitive level. Because of this, I found the narrative very easy to get into. My interactions with the book were frontloaded with feelings of recognition and empathy and this was the foundation on which this story of art and conflict and activism and identity unfolded.
I'm rooting for River East, River West to get the prize, but I know Soldier Sailor and Brotherless Night seem to be the favorites. I liked every book on the shortlist this year so I would not be mad at any of them winning.
I DNFed the wren the wren because I'm lazy but also because when I was away from it (and while reading it) I felt I was confused about what book I was reading. Like it could've been some other Irish story about mother daughter. Had just read Toffee by Sarah Crossan and I saw similar vibes and after that I read Nolan's Ordinary human failings, and found another character called Carmen, which deepened my confusion 🙃, and somewhat found better fleshed characters overall. So it's interesting hearing you both speak about it this way. I love how about every time you two are getting together for a video, no matter if you're discussing every book out the year before or only 6, it lasts about an hour! Love it! It was super interesting to hear you break down each text like this. And thank you Anna for saying the word and saying it clearly ! 🍉
The sound of rain really adds to coziness :) I am reading Soldier Sailor rn, and feel that my enjoyment level is hovering around 5-7 out of 10. One of the reasons - I listened to Matrescence (non-fic), which was both informative and poetic at times, and the whole experience of it was amazing. Probably should have read it after Kilroy’s book.
I'm okay with any winner except Dolly Maunder. I think it might go to Anne Enright for her body of work. I know it's not supposed to happen but we know it has happened. I enjoyed River East, River West the most of these 6 books.
Your top 3 and bottom 3 are the same as mine but just in a slightly different order, haha. My pick to win would be Enter Ghost, but I would be equally happy if Brotherless Night or River East, River West won. For nonfiction I only read Doppelganger and I absolutely loved it. Blown away by Naomi Klein. I hope she wins! However, after the shortlist readings, I was also intrigued by A Flat Place, How to Say Babylon, and Code Dependent.
Great discussion. I only read 4. I was underwhelmed by Enter ghost, and found it dull.( even with Hamlet ,a great favourite play ) Soldier Sailor was just too whiney . I loved Brotherless night, I learnt so much re the war and loved the female viewpoint. I think it may win. The wren ,the wren was good with great poetry by the author. My favourite book was Ordinary human failings which i thought was masterful.
I think it will be between Brotherless Night and Enter Ghost. I really honestly hope Enter Ghost wins as I think that would be very sharp commentary on current events. I will be mad if The Wren, The Wren or Restless Dolly Maunder win. Neither were bad, but I found both of them very slow and a bit dull. Soldier, Sailor is probably my actual favorite in terms of reading, but I don't think it will win.
This was so fun! Your videos with Anna have become my annual guide to the Prize and I appreciate you always finding new ways to discuss the lists. I hope you will be able to treat us with a behind the scenes of the party and ceremony!!
Great discussion as always with the two of you. I think Anna’s comments at the end about all five judges needing to agree is important. I think Enter Ghost has a lot of fans but also a lot of people were very put off by it because it was pretty one-sided. It has to be the most controversial of the six. Maybe they want that, I don’t know? Personally I am rooting for Soldier Sailor and think Brotherless Nights will win.
Thank you! Yes, I think it was very sensible for her to come to that conclusion. I'd be very happy if either your favourite or predicted winner took the prize, but we'll see on Thursday!
Love both of your takes on these books. I too am hoping for Enter Ghost. I have never read a book from this perspective and I learned so much. (I just picked up Light in Gaza for further reading thanks to this novel.) Soldier Sailor was also a 5 star read for me, but when I finished I didn’t know anyone I could give it to. I usually share my books with my step daughter, but she likely will be a new mom in the next few years and I just couldn’t! I have library holds for your other two top picks. Gave up on The Wren The Wren, but mostly because said library wanted it back and I wasn’t making much progress anyway.
I loved Soldier Sailor and it's my pick for the win. It was fantastic in every way, and unlike Anna I would recommend it to everyone! It shines a much-needed light on the difficulties of parenthood and, if it was widely read, would surely increase empathy towards parents.
@@louisesavidgemuses4135 Thanks Louise! I just found your channel yesterday where you mentioned 'Matrescence' from the non-fiction longlist. I'm very excited to add it to my TBR
My vote would be Brotherless Night, Enter Ghost, and then Soldier Sailor, but I would be happy with any of those three or River East, River West winning. I’d be disappointed with Restless Dolly Maunder or The Wren, The Wren.
Such a shame that River East River West won't be released until September in NZ. Only one I haven't read! Have enjoyed all of them but would love to see Brotherless Night win. I wonder if my view would change if I did a similar breakdown.
I have to get back to Enter Ghost, as I mentioned it before, I listened to a few hrs of the audiobook, I found the narrator's delivery extremely flat. I appreciated Soldier Sailor, but it didn't stay with me. The Wren, the Wren was a bit of a miss for me. No interest in reading Restless Dolly M, even though it's Aussie, I just don't care for historical fiction that much. I've Brotherless Night on hold, hopefully, I'll be impressed.
Re. Enter Ghost; Balanced portrayal? Well, I'm afraid reality shows us that some humans are exhibiting one-dimensional and inhuman personality traits so I guess the book is reflecting that?
Please. Enter Ghost? Eric, I have been watching you and following you for so long….my heart is breaking. A novel that glorifies the antisemitic tropes currently undermining the world post Shoah would be an appalling choice. But, again, anti-Zionism/anti-semitism is already back in force and this reader/ philosopher/psychoanalyst recognizes that your choice only but confirms my most heartbroken experience in the past months. And Anna….genocide? Please. You both are too thoughtful to know so little of history and remand it to the narrow categories EG does of what is the plight of both Palestinians and Israelis. Notwithstanding its flat as froth characters, it was not a great book…bolstered by Shakespeare for any substance. I’m banking on either The Wren, The Wren or Brotherless Nights. And I imagine soon after I post this will see vitriol and be safer unsubscribed. A great loss.
It is a shame that you choose to unsubscribe rather than engage in a discussion. Based on what you say in your comment, you should trust Eric and Anna to have a thoughtful conversation without ad hominem attacks. Those of us who follow Eric are, I’m pretty sure, not the kind of people who throw about vitriol. We will never advance if we cannot discuss difficult topics with respect and thoughtfulness.
@antineah1889 Love this comment. Though in fairness, while Eric came across as very considered and thoughtful, Anna was rolling her eyes and making faces when presented with a viewpoint she didn't like. I'm not used to that on Eric's channel so it took me by surprise
@@grrrumpypanda I thought Eric went out of his way to be thoughtful, which he always is. I don’t know Anna that well, I’ve only seen her here, but I still don’t think her response warranted condemnation. She was expressing her convictions with the same passion as the person writing the above comment. They should be able to discuss their differences respectfully; I thought accusing them of not being educated and being anti-Semitic was going too far based on the video. Thanks for responding though, always better to talk!
