Nina Bawden, The Birds on the Trees
JG Farrell, Troubles
Shirley Hazzard, The Bay of Noon
Mary Renault, Fire From Heaven
Muriel Spark, The Driver's Seat
Patrick White, The Vivisector
You can read an article all about it in the Guardian, if you like. This article focuses on Muriel Spark as two-time nominee. But what about Patrick White, who nobly stepped down in 1979? J G Farrell is a previous Booker winner for The Siege of Krishnapur (1973), Nina Bawden was nominated for Circles of Deceit (1987), Shirley Hazzard was longlisted for The Great Fire (2004). Only Mary Renault has never before been recognised by the award - but, speaking for myself, hers is the novel I'm possibly most excited to read. (It's all about Alexander the Great's early years. Guaranteed to be exciting & who doesn't love a bit of historical fiction?)
If I were a bookie, I'd say they all have form. Do you think we should lay odds? Or is that - maybe - not really in the spirit of the thing?
Any thoughts on the shortlist? Excited? Disappointed? Outraged? ... Indifferent?
Which one to read first? Tempted by Nina Bawden... See what Hexham library has to offer ;-)
ReplyDeleteYes, I think I'm going to start with the Bawden. Might be fun to go through them alphabetically (author surname) so we're all reading the same thing at around the same time. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteBut maybe best just to read whatever we can get our hands on easiest first!
Got Muriel Spark! They're all harder to get hold of than I anticipated...
ReplyDeleteI have ordered them from Amazon marketplace and the like... not sure when I'll get them though... have the feeling we may not be alone in doing this, because when I ordered the first one Amazon came up with 'other people who bought this book also read'... and then the rest of the shortlist!
ReplyDeleteI am very intrigued by the Patrick White debate - Rosalind, sounds like you are a bit of a fan, but Katie told me she can't stand him! Sorry Kate, you did say you knew he'd be shortlisted just to spite you... (-:
Looking forward to getting started x
Meant to post this earlier - a general report broadcast on Radio 4 on Thursday about the prize, shortlist and selection process:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b00rd90q
52-57 minutes in to the programme
I'd love to join! I've read and reviewed only one so far, The Driver's Seat by Muriel Spark. I'm off to the bookshops tomorrow to see if I can find the others on the shortlist.
ReplyDeleteWe already have the Patrick White but, as has already been pointed out, he's not my favourite author. Took me four goes to get through Voss... But lots of people tell me that The Vivisector is a great book so will try to keep an open mind. Am not starting with it though in case I get stuck! Have ordered the others from Amazon and Shirley Hazzard was first here so am starting with that - it has the advantage of being short and set in Italy which is a real plus in this weather! Have only read a few pages but not bad so far.
ReplyDeleteI would bet cash money that their publishers are scrambling right now to reissue them. am off to track them down - can't wait to start - most excited about Nina Bawden and Mary Renault who has been recommended to me many times. Interesting to see so many women writers - I can't think of a recent Booker shortlist with a similar number
ReplyDeleteHave now read the Muriel Spark (veeery eenteresting...) and have started on J G Farrell, but keep falling asleep!
ReplyDeleteSorry, meant to post this earlier....If anyone still has trouble finding books: Waterstones in Newcastle has most in store and the majority are part of the 3 for 2 deal.
ReplyDeleteI've finished the Birds on the Trees - going to try to articulate some thoughts about this as soon as I can. Just received the Vivisector in the post - its ENORMOUS
ReplyDelete