I'm still reading some of the books I bought when the bookshop was closing down. So this month begins with the beautiful Whistler by Anne Patchett. And, unusually for me these days, a hardback. I found this to be such a moving story. The exploration of relationships and connections, how people deal with trauma and the emotional gymnastics of exploring family bonds. I thought it was beautifully written and I enjoy Anne Patchett's prose.
Sorry if it feels like I'm harping on about the bookshop but I really do miss it. The first event I ever attended there, a couple of years ago, was to celebrate the publication of Syd Moore's book, The Grand Illusion. Syd is a local author and she is great at giving talks about the genesis and the research around her books. I was absolutely fascinated and I bought a copy and Syd signed it for me. It was part of a trilogy that looks at the Nazis fascination with the cult during World War II. I went on to buy the second in the series and Syd also did another talk at the bookshop. The third has just been published and I bought it at Waterstones. Sid offered social media users a code to get a percentage of the book which I gratefully used. I've read it and I reviewed it here.
https://bookphace.blogspot.com/2026/10/the-final-act-of-daphne-devine.html
There's obviously no bookshop for Syd to talk at, but she is doing a book launch at Waterstones in the next town which I'm hoping to attend next week. (Update: I did! And I got the final book in the trilogy signed by Syd)
This book was lent to be by a friend of mine. It's Matt Haig's The Midnight Library which I've been meaning to read for months. He was on Desert Island Discs recently and that motivated me to bump it up the TBR list. I did enjoy the premise and the various considerations the book raised. Ideas about fulfilled lives, regrets and despair. But overall I felt there was something slightly lacking from it.
I often make this resolution, but I've never yet fulfilled it and that is to read the entire Booker shortlist. If I'm honest, in the past I've promised myself that I would read the long list but that has never happened so I thought I'd set myself a more achievable goal this year. I read the Elizabeth Strout and the Rebecca Perry books earlier in the year, August if we're getting accurate. So the third Booker book to grab my attention was Douglas Stuart's John of John. I know that Stuart won the Booker previously for Shuggy Bain. It's an intense read, exploring questions of faith, sexual identity and the secrets we hold inside ourselves. The location kind of mirrored the mood of the book too. It was rural, rough, remote which I thought was very clever. I borrowed this book from the Library.
Next, another shortlisted book, and it was Marlon James's The Disappearers. Wow. Uncompromising, frank, graphic and brutal, this novel explores homophobia in Jamaica. How violent, hate crime can destroy lives and traumatise the victims for the rest of their lives. Not for the faint hearted, but there's an almost mesmerising feel to the cadence of the dialogue that envelops you. I found it to be a very intense book and at over 600 pages a very committed read. But so worth it. I wouldn't be surprised if this is the book that wins. But I'm getting ahead of myself because I've still two more to read!
Here we are at the penultimate shortlisted book. Luke Kennard's Black Bag. The most lighthearted of the books in one sense as there is a comedic aspect to it but there's a deeper undercurrent if you're inclined to look for it. I guess the unusual premise sets it apart from others of its genre, but I think I'd be surprised if this one were to take the award.
Officially the last of the books on the Booker shortlist. And I've read them all before the winners list is announced. I feel ridiculously pleased about that. It never happened before! But I've never really understood the whole award thing. How do people choose from all the hundreds of books being published the ones they think are better than the others? Reading is so subjective. It guarantees sales for the author which I guess is a good thing? Also some awards seem more prestigious than others. I'll take far more notice of Booker long lists and short lists than I would, say, the Costa coffee awards for example.But I always find it interesting to read these books and decide whether I think they're worthy of awards. Sadly out of them all this is the one I feel is least deserving! It is M John Harrison's The End of Everything. It's a shame because I do enjoy post apocalyptic, speculative fiction. And I'm not saying I didn't enjoy this book but what I'm saying is I don't think it's as good as the other books up for the award. It felt confused and a little muddled in places. It was reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy's The Road in places - the desolation of life after an apocalypse.
My heart would like Elizabeth Strout to win the prize. I love her books and this one was no exception. My head is telling me that Marlon James is likely or possibly Rebecca Perry. And I'm going to be really interested to see who takes the accolade.
And finally this month a writer whose books I'll always read, Kate Atkinson with Our Noble Selves. Another Library book. This is a witty story about the Festival of Britain. The main character, Harry Flynn, is confronting his demons and amidst some of the humour in the book there are some very real issues explored regarding post war Britain and people scarred by their experiences. There is a mystery too and the book is ever populated with Atkinson's intriguing characters.
No comments:
Post a Comment