#bookerprize — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #bookerprize, aggregated by home.social.
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The Guardian view on the 2026 Booker shortlist: what it takes to be a man | Editorial
By EditorialAll the contenders for this year’s prize are a reflection of the crisis in masculinity
#Bookerprize #Awardsandprizes #Books #Culture #Fiction #JarvisCocker #MargaretAtwood #DavidSzalay #ElizabethStrout #MarlonJames #SallyRooney #BenLerner #TheGuardian #Editorial
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The Guardian view on the 2026 Booker shortlist: what it takes to be a man | Editorial
By EditorialAll the contenders for this year’s prize are a reflection of the crisis in masculinity
#Bookerprize #Awardsandprizes #Books #Culture #Fiction #JarvisCocker #MargaretAtwood #DavidSzalay #ElizabethStrout #MarlonJames #SallyRooney #BenLerner #TheGuardian #Editorial
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The Guardian view on the 2026 Booker shortlist: what it takes to be a man | Editorial
By EditorialAll the contenders for this year’s prize are a reflection of the crisis in masculinity
#Bookerprize #Awardsandprizes #Books #Culture #Fiction #JarvisCocker #MargaretAtwood #DavidSzalay #ElizabethStrout #MarlonJames #SallyRooney #BenLerner #TheGuardian #Editorial
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The Guardian view on the 2026 Booker shortlist: what it takes to be a man | Editorial
By EditorialAll the contenders for this year’s prize are a reflection of the crisis in masculinity
#Bookerprize #Awardsandprizes #Books #Culture #Fiction #JarvisCocker #MargaretAtwood #DavidSzalay #ElizabethStrout #MarlonJames #SallyRooney #BenLerner #TheGuardian #Editorial
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The Guardian view on the 2026 Booker shortlist: what it takes to be a man | Editorial
By EditorialAll the contenders for this year’s prize are a reflection of the crisis in masculinity
#Bookerprize #Awardsandprizes #Books #Culture #Fiction #JarvisCocker #MargaretAtwood #DavidSzalay #ElizabethStrout #MarlonJames #SallyRooney #BenLerner #TheGuardian #Editorial
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Die Short List für den Booker Prize steht auch:
thebookerprizes.com/the-booker… -
Die Short List für den Booker Prize steht auch:
thebookerprizes.com/the-booker… -
The Booker Prize has been around since 1969, and now we know the six books that have made the shortlist for the 2026 #BookerPrize!
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The Booker Prize has been around since 1969, and now we know the six books that have made the shortlist for the 2026 #BookerPrize!
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The Booker Prize has been around since 1969, and now we know the six books that have made the shortlist for the 2026 #BookerPrize!
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The Booker Prize has been around since 1969, and now we know the six books that have made the shortlist for the 2026 #BookerPrize!
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The Booker Prize has been around since 1969, and now we know the six books that have made the shortlist for the 2026 #BookerPrize!
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‘From Hilarious to the Discomfiting:’ The U.K.’s Booker Prize Announces the 2026 Shortlist
Featuring novels from dystopian fiction to contemporary realism, from campus satire to historical fiction, the Booker Prize shortlist offers a collection of books that illustrate the shape of our humanity.
The post ‘From Hilarious to the Discomfiting:’ The U.K.’s Booker Prize Announces the 2026 Shortlist appeared first on Publishing Perspectives.
https://publishingperspectives.com/2026/09/from-hilarious-to-the-discomfiting-the-u-k-s-booker-prize-announces-the-2026-shortlist/#Awards #BookerPrize #DouglasStuart #ElizabethStrout #LukeKennard
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‘From Hilarious to the Discomfiting:’ The U.K.’s Booker Prize Announces the 2026 Shortlist
Featuring novels from dystopian fiction to contemporary realism, from campus satire to historical fiction, the Booker Prize shortlist offers a collection of books that illustrate the shape of our humanity.
The post ‘From Hilarious to the Discomfiting:’ The U.K.’s Booker Prize Announces the 2026 Shortlist appeared first on Publishing Perspectives.
https://publishingperspectives.com/2026/09/from-hilarious-to-the-discomfiting-the-u-k-s-booker-prize-announces-the-2026-shortlist/#Awards #BookerPrize #DouglasStuart #ElizabethStrout #LukeKennard
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‘From Hilarious to the Discomfiting:’ The U.K.’s Booker Prize Announces the 2026 Shortlist
Featuring novels from dystopian fiction to contemporary realism, from campus satire to historical fiction, the Booker Prize shortlist offers a collection of books that illustrate the shape of our humanity.
The post ‘From Hilarious to the Discomfiting:’ The U.K.’s Booker Prize Announces the 2026 Shortlist appeared first on Publishing Perspectives.
https://publishingperspectives.com/2026/09/from-hilarious-to-the-discomfiting-the-u-k-s-booker-prize-announces-the-2026-shortlist/#Awards #BookerPrize #DouglasStuart #ElizabethStrout #LukeKennard
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‘From Hilarious to the Discomfiting:’ The U.K.’s Booker Prize Announces the 2026 Shortlist
Featuring novels from dystopian fiction to contemporary realism, from campus satire to historical fiction, the Booker Prize shortlist offers a collection of books that illustrate the shape of our humanity.
The post ‘From Hilarious to the Discomfiting:’ The U.K.’s Booker Prize Announces the 2026 Shortlist appeared first on Publishing Perspectives.
https://publishingperspectives.com/2026/09/from-hilarious-to-the-discomfiting-the-u-k-s-booker-prize-announces-the-2026-shortlist/#Awards #BookerPrize #DouglasStuart #ElizabethStrout #LukeKennard
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¿Quiénes son los seis finalistas del Booker Prize 2026 y qué novelas? #BookerPrize2026 #BookerPrize #ElizabethStrout #MarlonJames #DouglasStuart #RebeccaPerry #MJohnHarrison #LukeKennard #Literatura #Libros #Novelas #Cultura #felizmiercoles #23deseptiembre
https://donporque.com/seis-finalistas-del-booker-prize-2026/
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¿Quiénes son los seis finalistas del Booker Prize 2026 y qué novelas? #BookerPrize2026 #BookerPrize #ElizabethStrout #MarlonJames #DouglasStuart #RebeccaPerry #MJohnHarrison #LukeKennard #Literatura #Libros #Novelas #Cultura #felizmiercoles #23deseptiembre
https://donporque.com/seis-finalistas-del-booker-prize-2026/
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¿Quiénes son los seis finalistas del Booker Prize 2026 y qué novelas? #BookerPrize2026 #BookerPrize #ElizabethStrout #MarlonJames #DouglasStuart #RebeccaPerry #MJohnHarrison #LukeKennard #Literatura #Libros #Novelas #Cultura #felizmiercoles #23deseptiembre
https://donporque.com/seis-finalistas-del-booker-prize-2026/
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¿Quiénes son los seis finalistas del Booker Prize 2026 y qué novelas? #BookerPrize2026 #BookerPrize #ElizabethStrout #MarlonJames #DouglasStuart #RebeccaPerry #MJohnHarrison #LukeKennard #Literatura #Libros #Novelas #Cultura #felizmiercoles #23deseptiembre
https://donporque.com/seis-finalistas-del-booker-prize-2026/
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¿Quiénes son los seis finalistas del Booker Prize 2026 y qué novelas? #BookerPrize2026 #BookerPrize #ElizabethStrout #MarlonJames #DouglasStuart #RebeccaPerry #MJohnHarrison #LukeKennard #Literatura #Libros #Novelas #Cultura #felizmiercoles #23deseptiembre
https://donporque.com/seis-finalistas-del-booker-prize-2026/
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Booker prize 2026: ask our books team anything about this year’s contenders
By Guardian moderators (now); Justine Jordan, Charlotte Northedge and Liese Spencer (from 1pm)This year’s shortlist for the Booker prize was announced last night. Our books editors will be logging on at 1pm to discuss this year’s nominees, from previous winners Marlon James and Douglas Stuart to debut novelist Rebecca Perry. Post your questions or discussion points now
#Books #Bookerprize #Culture #Awardsandprizes #Fiction #TheGuardian #Guardianmoderators #JustineJordan #CharlotteNorthedge #LieseSpencerfrom1pm
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Booker prize 2026: ask our books team anything about this year’s contenders
By Guardian moderators (now); Justine Jordan, Charlotte Northedge and Liese Spencer (from 1pm)This year’s shortlist for the Booker prize was announced last night. Our books editors will be logging on at 1pm to discuss this year’s nominees, from previous winners Marlon James and Douglas Stuart to debut novelist Rebecca Perry. Post your questions or discussion points now
#Books #Bookerprize #Culture #Awardsandprizes #Fiction #TheGuardian #Guardianmoderators #JustineJordan #CharlotteNorthedge #LieseSpencerfrom1pm
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Booker prize 2026: ask our books team anything about this year’s contenders
By Guardian moderators (now); Justine Jordan, Charlotte Northedge and Liese Spencer (from 1pm)This year’s shortlist for the Booker prize was announced last night. Our books editors will be logging on at 1pm to discuss this year’s nominees, from previous winners Marlon James and Douglas Stuart to debut novelist Rebecca Perry. Post your questions or discussion points now
#Books #Bookerprize #Culture #Awardsandprizes #Fiction #TheGuardian #Guardianmoderators #JustineJordan #CharlotteNorthedge #LieseSpencerfrom1pm
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Booker prize 2026: ask our books team anything about this year’s contenders
By Guardian moderators (now); Justine Jordan, Charlotte Northedge and Liese Spencer (from 1pm)This year’s shortlist for the Booker prize was announced last night. Our books editors will be logging on at 1pm to discuss this year’s nominees, from previous winners Marlon James and Douglas Stuart to debut novelist Rebecca Perry. Post your questions or discussion points now
#Books #Bookerprize #Culture #Awardsandprizes #Fiction #TheGuardian #Guardianmoderators #JustineJordan #CharlotteNorthedge #LieseSpencerfrom1pm
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good grief, an actual SF author on the Booker shortlist? W(for thos unfamiliar, the Booker rarely listsSF, Crime etc authors)
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/sep/22/booker-prize-shortlist-pulitzer-previous-winners#books #livres #Bookstadon #ScienceFiction #BookerPrize #MJohnHarrison
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good grief, an actual SF author on the Booker shortlist? W(for thos unfamiliar, the Booker rarely listsSF, Crime etc authors)
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/sep/22/booker-prize-shortlist-pulitzer-previous-winners#books #livres #Bookstadon #ScienceFiction #BookerPrize #MJohnHarrison
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good grief, an actual SF author on the Booker shortlist? W(for thos unfamiliar, the Booker rarely listsSF, Crime etc authors)
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/sep/22/booker-prize-shortlist-pulitzer-previous-winners#books #livres #Bookstadon #ScienceFiction #BookerPrize #MJohnHarrison
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good grief, an actual SF author on the Booker shortlist? W(for thos unfamiliar, the Booker rarely listsSF, Crime etc authors)
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/sep/22/booker-prize-shortlist-pulitzer-previous-winners#books #livres #Bookstadon #ScienceFiction #BookerPrize #MJohnHarrison
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good grief, an actual SF author on the Booker shortlist? W(for thos unfamiliar, the Booker rarely listsSF, Crime etc authors)
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/sep/22/booker-prize-shortlist-pulitzer-previous-winners#books #livres #Bookstadon #ScienceFiction #BookerPrize #MJohnHarrison
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The Booker Prize shortlist is out and of the longlisted three I’ve read so far, the one I didn’t enjoy isn’t on it. The two I gave five stars to _are_ shortlisted.
So if you’re interested, I can recommend starting with Black Bag by Luke Kennard and May We Feed The King by Rebecca Perry.
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The Booker Prize shortlist is out and of the longlisted three I’ve read so far, the one I didn’t enjoy isn’t on it. The two I gave five stars to _are_ shortlisted.
So if you’re interested, I can recommend starting with Black Bag by Luke Kennard and May We Feed The King by Rebecca Perry.
-
The Booker Prize shortlist is out and of the longlisted three I’ve read so far, the one I didn’t enjoy isn’t on it. The two I gave five stars to _are_ shortlisted.
So if you’re interested, I can recommend starting with Black Bag by Luke Kennard and May We Feed The King by Rebecca Perry.
-
The Booker Prize shortlist is out and of the longlisted three I’ve read so far, the one I didn’t enjoy isn’t on it. The two I gave five stars to _are_ shortlisted.
So if you’re interested, I can recommend starting with Black Bag by Luke Kennard and May We Feed The King by Rebecca Perry.
-
The Booker Prize shortlist is out and of the longlisted three I’ve read so far, the one I didn’t enjoy isn’t on it. The two I gave five stars to _are_ shortlisted.
So if you’re interested, I can recommend starting with Black Bag by Luke Kennard and May We Feed The King by Rebecca Perry.
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Interesting titles on this year's Booker shortlist. "The Disappearers," "John of John," and "May We Feed the King" sound particularly appealing. #Books #Bookstodon #BookerPrize #LIterature #Culture https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/22/books/booker-prize-shortlist.html?unlocked_article_code=1.DFE.wMti.pnVWnsBjHyHp&smid=url-share
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Interesting titles on this year's Booker shortlist. "The Disappearers," "John of John," and "May We Feed the King" sound particularly appealing. #Books #Bookstodon #BookerPrize #LIterature #Culture https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/22/books/booker-prize-shortlist.html?unlocked_article_code=1.DFE.wMti.pnVWnsBjHyHp&smid=url-share
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Interesting titles on this year's Booker shortlist. "The Disappearers," "John of John," and "May We Feed the King" sound particularly appealing. #Books #Bookstodon #BookerPrize #LIterature #Culture https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/22/books/booker-prize-shortlist.html?unlocked_article_code=1.DFE.wMti.pnVWnsBjHyHp&smid=url-share
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Interesting titles on this year's Booker shortlist. "The Disappearers," "John of John," and "May We Feed the King" sound particularly appealing. #Books #Bookstodon #BookerPrize #LIterature #Culture https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/22/books/booker-prize-shortlist.html?unlocked_article_code=1.DFE.wMti.pnVWnsBjHyHp&smid=url-share
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Interesting titles on this year's Booker shortlist. "The Disappearers," "John of John," and "May We Feed the King" sound particularly appealing. #Books #Bookstodon #BookerPrize #LIterature #Culture https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/22/books/booker-prize-shortlist.html?unlocked_article_code=1.DFE.wMti.pnVWnsBjHyHp&smid=url-share
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Previous winners Marlon James and Douglas Stuart shortlisted for Booker prize
By Ella CreamerThe two authors are in the running for the £50,000 award alongside a Pulitzer winner, a science fiction legend, a comic writer and a debut novelist
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/sep/22/booker-prize-shortlist-pulitzer-previous-winners
#Books #Bookerprize #Awardsandprizes #Culture #Fiction #MarlonJames #ElizabethStrout #TheGuardian #EllaCreamer
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Previous winners Marlon James and Douglas Stuart shortlisted for Booker prize
By Ella CreamerThe two authors are in the running for the £50,000 award alongside a Pulitzer winner, a science fiction legend, a comic writer and a debut novelist
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/sep/22/booker-prize-shortlist-pulitzer-previous-winners
#Books #Bookerprize #Awardsandprizes #Culture #Fiction #MarlonJames #ElizabethStrout #TheGuardian #EllaCreamer
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Previous winners Marlon James and Douglas Stuart shortlisted for Booker prize
By Ella CreamerThe two authors are in the running for the £50,000 award alongside a Pulitzer winner, a science fiction legend, a comic writer and a debut novelist
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/sep/22/booker-prize-shortlist-pulitzer-previous-winners
#Books #Bookerprize #Awardsandprizes #Culture #Fiction #MarlonJames #ElizabethStrout #TheGuardian #EllaCreamer
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Previous winners Marlon James and Douglas Stuart shortlisted for Booker prize
By Ella CreamerThe two authors are in the running for the £50,000 award alongside a Pulitzer winner, a science fiction legend, a comic writer and a debut novelist
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/sep/22/booker-prize-shortlist-pulitzer-previous-winners
#Books #Bookerprize #Awardsandprizes #Culture #Fiction #MarlonJames #ElizabethStrout #TheGuardian #EllaCreamer
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Previous winners Marlon James and Douglas Stuart shortlisted for Booker prize
By Ella CreamerThe two authors are in the running for the £50,000 award alongside a Pulitzer winner, a science fiction legend, a comic writer and a debut novelist
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/sep/22/booker-prize-shortlist-pulitzer-previous-winners
#Books #Bookerprize #Awardsandprizes #Culture #Fiction #MarlonJames #ElizabethStrout #TheGuardian #EllaCreamer
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I read 163 novels and these are the six best: Mary Beard on judging the Booker prize
By Mary BeardI found being a Booker judge hugely rewarding. All the works on our shortlist will change how you see the world
#Books #MaryBeard #Bookerprize #Fiction #Culture #Awardsandprizes #MarlonJames #ElizabethStrout #TheGuardian #MaryBeard
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I read 163 novels and these are the six best: Mary Beard on judging the Booker prize
By Mary BeardI found being a Booker judge hugely rewarding. All the works on our shortlist will change how you see the world
#Books #MaryBeard #Bookerprize #Fiction #Culture #Awardsandprizes #MarlonJames #ElizabethStrout #TheGuardian #MaryBeard
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I read 163 novels and these are the six best: Mary Beard on judging the Booker prize
By Mary BeardI found being a Booker judge hugely rewarding. All the works on our shortlist will change how you see the world
#Books #MaryBeard #Bookerprize #Fiction #Culture #Awardsandprizes #MarlonJames #ElizabethStrout #TheGuardian #MaryBeard
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I read 163 novels and these are the six best: Mary Beard on judging the Booker prize
By Mary BeardI found being a Booker judge hugely rewarding. All the works on our shortlist will change how you see the world
#Books #MaryBeard #Bookerprize #Fiction #Culture #Awardsandprizes #MarlonJames #ElizabethStrout #TheGuardian #MaryBeard
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I read 163 novels and these are the six best: Mary Beard on judging the Booker prize
By Mary BeardI found being a Booker judge hugely rewarding. All the works on our shortlist will change how you see the world
#Books #MaryBeard #Bookerprize #Fiction #Culture #Awardsandprizes #MarlonJames #ElizabethStrout #TheGuardian #MaryBeard
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A nice bit of prose, describing life in a fictional orbital space station. I never before imagined how that must be, the change from terrestrial days and nights.
From "Orbital" by Samantha Harvey, winner of the Booker Prize 2024.
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A nice bit of prose, describing life in a fictional orbital space station. I never before imagined how that must be, the change from terrestrial days and nights.
From "Orbital" by Samantha Harvey, winner of the Booker Prize 2024.
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A nice bit of prose, describing life in a fictional orbital space station. I never before imagined how that must be, the change from terrestrial days and nights.
From "Orbital" by Samantha Harvey, winner of the Booker Prize 2024.
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A nice bit of prose, describing life in a fictional orbital space station. I never before imagined how that must be, the change from terrestrial days and nights.
From "Orbital" by Samantha Harvey, winner of the Booker Prize 2024.
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A nice bit of prose, describing life in a fictional orbital space station. I never before imagined how that must be, the change from terrestrial days and nights.
From "Orbital" by Samantha Harvey, winner of the Booker Prize 2024.
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📘 "Helen of Nowhere" by Makenna Goodman
I saw this book on the Booker Prize longlist for this year. Usually I'm not that interested in reading the list (I'm more invested in the International Booker), but I enjoy following along with some reviewers. What got me curious about this title were its negative reviews. I haven't seen a single positive one in my feeds. Yet I couldn't get a grasp on why it appeared to be so disliked. Ironically there was a lot of vague critique about it being vague.
A wave of negative reviews like that, despite the book being highly regarded by a prize, that just draws me in. So I decided to give it a go.
This book is simultaneously difficult and easy to summarize. A disgraced professor, divorcing from his wife, plans to escape the city and goes to a house viewing in the countryside. That's it (but it's not).
The man's point of view slightly reminded me of the first story in Tony Tulathimutte's "Rejection", about a 'nice guy'. The more he speaks, the more you realize what went wrong in his career and why. He really isn't a pleasant person, nor are some of the few other characters in this story.
This book is monologue heavy, but I found it easy to read. I flew through the pages. The points of view we get are from people in privileged positions, sad about how they've been victimized, underappreciated, taken advantage of, or misunderstood. How could this happen to them, they who know so much better than anyone? It's equally frustrating and humorous.
A lot of topics pass by, such as identity politics, hierarchy in academia, gender dynamics, city versus countryside, and how things like 'living off the land' and 'simple living' get idealized, and how class is wrapped up in it all. Lots to chew on and laugh about.
About halfway through the novel something unexpected happened. Wait, we're going the kooky route? Indeed we did. What made me happy is that the book totally committed and had a great last chapter. I think it was the only ending that would've fit this well.
Overall, I'm glad I read it. It was a short and fun read, with enough depth and a creative ending. It's certainly not one of my favorites of the year, but to me, its low ratings are quite harsh. I think it does require focus when reading and maybe some familiarity with the societal topics it brought up (it goes a little meta in a way), so it might not be the easiest read for some. But I do see why the Booker judges put it on the list. An interesting pick.
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📘 "Helen of Nowhere" by Makenna Goodman
I saw this book on the Booker Prize longlist for this year. Usually I'm not that interested in reading the list (I'm more invested in the International Booker), but I enjoy following along with some reviewers. What got me curious about this title were its negative reviews. I haven't seen a single positive one in my feeds. Yet I couldn't get a grasp on why it appeared to be so disliked. Ironically there was a lot of vague critique about it being vague.
A wave of negative reviews like that, despite the book being highly regarded by a prize, that just draws me in. So I decided to give it a go.
This book is simultaneously difficult and easy to summarize. A disgraced professor, divorcing from his wife, plans to escape the city and goes to a house viewing in the countryside. That's it (but it's not).
The man's point of view slightly reminded me of the first story in Tony Tulathimutte's "Rejection", about a 'nice guy'. The more he speaks, the more you realize what went wrong in his career and why. He really isn't a pleasant person, nor are some of the few other characters in this story.
This book is monologue heavy, but I found it easy to read. I flew through the pages. The points of view we get are from people in privileged positions, sad about how they've been victimized, underappreciated, taken advantage of, or misunderstood. How could this happen to them, they who know so much better than anyone? It's equally frustrating and humorous.
A lot of topics pass by, such as identity politics, hierarchy in academia, gender dynamics, city versus countryside, and how things like 'living off the land' and 'simple living' get idealized, and how class is wrapped up in it all. Lots to chew on and laugh about.
About halfway through the novel something unexpected happened. Wait, we're going the kooky route? Indeed we did. What made me happy is that the book totally committed and had a great last chapter. I think it was the only ending that would've fit this well.
Overall, I'm glad I read it. It was a short and fun read, with enough depth and a creative ending. It's certainly not one of my favorites of the year, but to me, its low ratings are quite harsh. I think it does require focus when reading and maybe some familiarity with the societal topics it brought up (it goes a little meta in a way), so it might not be the easiest read for some. But I do see why the Booker judges put it on the list. An interesting pick.
-
📘 "Helen of Nowhere" by Makenna Goodman
I saw this book on the Booker Prize longlist for this year. Usually I'm not that interested in reading the list (I'm more invested in the International Booker), but I enjoy following along with some reviewers. What got me curious about this title were its negative reviews. I haven't seen a single positive one in my feeds. Yet I couldn't get a grasp on why it appeared to be so disliked. Ironically there was a lot of vague critique about it being vague.
A wave of negative reviews like that, despite the book being highly regarded by a prize, that just draws me in. So I decided to give it a go.
This book is simultaneously difficult and easy to summarize. A disgraced professor, divorcing from his wife, plans to escape the city and goes to a house viewing in the countryside. That's it (but it's not).
The man's point of view slightly reminded me of the first story in Tony Tulathimutte's "Rejection", about a 'nice guy'. The more he speaks, the more you realize what went wrong in his career and why. He really isn't a pleasant person, nor are some of the few other characters in this story.
This book is monologue heavy, but I found it easy to read. I flew through the pages. The points of view we get are from people in privileged positions, sad about how they've been victimized, underappreciated, taken advantage of, or misunderstood. How could this happen to them, they who know so much better than anyone? It's equally frustrating and humorous.
A lot of topics pass by, such as identity politics, hierarchy in academia, gender dynamics, city versus countryside, and how things like 'living off the land' and 'simple living' get idealized, and how class is wrapped up in it all. Lots to chew on and laugh about.
About halfway through the novel something unexpected happened. Wait, we're going the kooky route? Indeed we did. What made me happy is that the book totally committed and had a great last chapter. I think it was the only ending that would've fit this well.
Overall, I'm glad I read it. It was a short and fun read, with enough depth and a creative ending. It's certainly not one of my favorites of the year, but to me, its low ratings are quite harsh. I think it does require focus when reading and maybe some familiarity with the societal topics it brought up (it goes a little meta in a way), so it might not be the easiest read for some. But I do see why the Booker judges put it on the list. An interesting pick.
-
📘 "Helen of Nowhere" by Makenna Goodman
I saw this book on the Booker Prize longlist for this year. Usually I'm not that interested in reading the list (I'm more invested in the International Booker), but I enjoy following along with some reviewers. What got me curious about this title were its negative reviews. I haven't seen a single positive one in my feeds. Yet I couldn't get a grasp on why it appeared to be so disliked. Ironically there was a lot of vague critique about it being vague.
A wave of negative reviews like that, despite the book being highly regarded by a prize, that just draws me in. So I decided to give it a go.
This book is simultaneously difficult and easy to summarize. A disgraced professor, divorcing from his wife, plans to escape the city and goes to a house viewing in the countryside. That's it (but it's not).
The man's point of view slightly reminded me of the first story in Tony Tulathimutte's "Rejection", about a 'nice guy'. The more he speaks, the more you realize what went wrong in his career and why. He really isn't a pleasant person, nor are some of the few other characters in this story.
This book is monologue heavy, but I found it easy to read. I flew through the pages. The points of view we get are from people in privileged positions, sad about how they've been victimized, underappreciated, taken advantage of, or misunderstood. How could this happen to them, they who know so much better than anyone? It's equally frustrating and humorous.
A lot of topics pass by, such as identity politics, hierarchy in academia, gender dynamics, city versus countryside, and how things like 'living off the land' and 'simple living' get idealized, and how class is wrapped up in it all. Lots to chew on and laugh about.
About halfway through the novel something unexpected happened. Wait, we're going the kooky route? Indeed we did. What made me happy is that the book totally committed and had a great last chapter. I think it was the only ending that would've fit this well.
Overall, I'm glad I read it. It was a short and fun read, with enough depth and a creative ending. It's certainly not one of my favorites of the year, but to me, its low ratings are quite harsh. I think it does require focus when reading and maybe some familiarity with the societal topics it brought up (it goes a little meta in a way), so it might not be the easiest read for some. But I do see why the Booker judges put it on the list. An interesting pick.
-
📘 "Helen of Nowhere" by Makenna Goodman
I saw this book on the Booker Prize longlist for this year. Usually I'm not that interested in reading the list (I'm more invested in the International Booker), but I enjoy following along with some reviewers. What got me curious about this title were its negative reviews. I haven't seen a single positive one in my feeds. Yet I couldn't get a grasp on why it appeared to be so disliked. Ironically there was a lot of vague critique about it being vague.
A wave of negative reviews like that, despite the book being highly regarded by a prize, that just draws me in. So I decided to give it a go.
This book is simultaneously difficult and easy to summarize. A disgraced professor, divorcing from his wife, plans to escape the city and goes to a house viewing in the countryside. That's it (but it's not).
The man's point of view slightly reminded me of the first story in Tony Tulathimutte's "Rejection", about a 'nice guy'. The more he speaks, the more you realize what went wrong in his career and why. He really isn't a pleasant person, nor are some of the few other characters in this story.
This book is monologue heavy, but I found it easy to read. I flew through the pages. The points of view we get are from people in privileged positions, sad about how they've been victimized, underappreciated, taken advantage of, or misunderstood. How could this happen to them, they who know so much better than anyone? It's equally frustrating and humorous.
A lot of topics pass by, such as identity politics, hierarchy in academia, gender dynamics, city versus countryside, and how things like 'living off the land' and 'simple living' get idealized, and how class is wrapped up in it all. Lots to chew on and laugh about.
About halfway through the novel something unexpected happened. Wait, we're going the kooky route? Indeed we did. What made me happy is that the book totally committed and had a great last chapter. I think it was the only ending that would've fit this well.
Overall, I'm glad I read it. It was a short and fun read, with enough depth and a creative ending. It's certainly not one of my favorites of the year, but to me, its low ratings are quite harsh. I think it does require focus when reading and maybe some familiarity with the societal topics it brought up (it goes a little meta in a way), so it might not be the easiest read for some. But I do see why the Booker judges put it on the list. An interesting pick.