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1kidzdoc
The shortlist for this year's Booker Prize has just been announced. The six finalists are:
The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes
Jamrach's Menagerie by Carol Birch
The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt
Half Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan
Pigeon English by Stephen Kelman
Snowdrops by A.D. Miller
The prize will be awarded in London on October 18. More info:
http://www.themanbookerprize.com/news/stories/1533
I'm pleased to see the Barnes, my personal favorite, make the longlist, along with the Kelman and the deWitt, but I'm disappointed that the Hollinghurst, the Barry and the McGuinness weren't selected. What do you think?
The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes
Jamrach's Menagerie by Carol Birch
The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt
Half Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan
Pigeon English by Stephen Kelman
Snowdrops by A.D. Miller
The prize will be awarded in London on October 18. More info:
http://www.themanbookerprize.com/news/stories/1533
I'm pleased to see the Barnes, my personal favorite, make the longlist, along with the Kelman and the deWitt, but I'm disappointed that the Hollinghurst, the Barry and the McGuinness weren't selected. What do you think?
2cushlareads
I'm really disappointed that the Hollinghurst isn't on the shortlist, and a bit disappointed about On Canaan's side (but am still not finished it so maybe it'll go off). I'm going to read The Sense of An Ending next.
3kidzdoc
I'll probably read Half Blood Blues next, followed by The Sisters Brothers and Snowdrops, although I may read one or two of the longlisted novels that didn't make the cut first.
4vancouverdeb
Here is another link http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booker-prize/8743964/Booker-Prize-2011-...
I'm so excited that The Sisters Brothers made it to the shortlist!!!!!! I LOVED that book!
Pigeon Englishwas really quite good, and I think perhaps timely, in light of the riots.
I've got Snowdrops on my shelf, and I'm third in the library queue for The Sense of an Ending.
I did enjoy Far to Go but it was a good but very conventional read.
I'm a bit disappointed thatA Cupboard Full of Coats was not on the shortlist, because I thought it was rather good.
I think Barnes will end up winning the Booker Prize- but who knows. I had not read that many favourable reviews aboutSnowdrops so I'm surprised it made it to the shortlist.
Well, I'll read Snowdrops next, and then The Sense of an Ending.
I'm so excited that The Sisters Brothers made it to the shortlist!!!!!! I LOVED that book!
Pigeon Englishwas really quite good, and I think perhaps timely, in light of the riots.
I've got Snowdrops on my shelf, and I'm third in the library queue for The Sense of an Ending.
I did enjoy Far to Go but it was a good but very conventional read.
I'm a bit disappointed thatA Cupboard Full of Coats was not on the shortlist, because I thought it was rather good.
I think Barnes will end up winning the Booker Prize- but who knows. I had not read that many favourable reviews aboutSnowdrops so I'm surprised it made it to the shortlist.
Well, I'll read Snowdrops next, and then The Sense of an Ending.
5vancouverdeb
Here is another interesting link on why one critic feels some books were chosen over others http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booker-prize/8744007/Man-Booker-shortli...
Here's the last bit - In purely literary terms, I’d say the most deserving novel is The Sisters Brothers, the second book from the Canadian author Patrick deWitt. Narrated by a hitman on the road to San Francisco during the Californian gold rush, its stylish prose and wit set it apart from this company. William Hill will give you odds of 20/1; their favourite, at 3/1, is Barnes.
I think I like that critic! I just loved Sisters Brothers.
Here's the last bit - In purely literary terms, I’d say the most deserving novel is The Sisters Brothers, the second book from the Canadian author Patrick deWitt. Narrated by a hitman on the road to San Francisco during the Californian gold rush, its stylish prose and wit set it apart from this company. William Hill will give you odds of 20/1; their favourite, at 3/1, is Barnes.
I think I like that critic! I just loved Sisters Brothers.
6lauralkeet
Wow, very surprised Hollinghurst didn't make it. I haven't read any of the books, so am just basing this on the buzz here. But still ...
7Donna828
It looks like I'd better run back to the library and pick up one of those two copies of Jamrach's Menagerie that were languishing on the shelf late last week. I'm also going to request The Sense of an Ending from ILL. I'm surprised my library doesn't have a copy!
8kiwidoc
PHww - always wrong. I can never guess at this list. The only one I have not read off this short-list is the Edi Edugyan book which will be next.
Thoughts - of these the Barnes is by far the best writer. It looks like the panel has removed all the more conventional type reads from its list and promoting little known and first-time authors! I am glad I read some of the titles before knowing the list.
Not really sour grapes - but Jamrach's Menagerie over Derby Day and The Last Hundred Days??
Thoughts - of these the Barnes is by far the best writer. It looks like the panel has removed all the more conventional type reads from its list and promoting little known and first-time authors! I am glad I read some of the titles before knowing the list.
Not really sour grapes - but Jamrach's Menagerie over Derby Day and The Last Hundred Days??
9kidzdoc
>4 vancouverdeb: Of three shortlisted books I haven't read, The Sisters Brothers is the one I'm looking forward to the most. However, I have it on my Kindle, and I think I'll read it after the three print books I have with me, Half Blood Blues, Derby Day and The Testament of Jessie Lamb, so that I can give these to my LT friends before I leave London the weekend after next.
Despite my relatively low ranking (sixth of the seven longlisted books I've read so far), I'm also glad that Pigeon English made it to the second round. I suspect that Snowdrops will be the last book that I read from the longlist, and I may wait until October to get to it.
BTW, I'm also planning to investigate, and probably read, many of the novels that were speculated by others to be strong candidates for this year's longlist. I've read two of those books, The Cat's Table by Michael Ondaatje (which should have made it), and The Last Gift by Abdulrazak Gurnah (longlist maybe, but not good enough for the shortlist), and I have purchased four other books here, Pure by Andrew Miller, Anatomy of a Disappearance by Hisham Matar, Waterline by Ross Raisin, and Chinaman by Shehan Karuntilaka. I'll probably alternate one longlisted book with one that wasn't selected, and comment about these books, perhaps on a thread here for the "best of the rest". Rachael (FlossieT) from the 75 Books group highly recommended Chinaman, so I'll probably read that book next, followed by Half Blood Blues.
I don't feel strongly one way or the other about the failure of A Cupboard Full of Coats to make the shortlist, as I didn't think it had a chance of winning. I did like it, though.
I strongly think that The Sense of an Ending is the novel that is most deserving of the prize. I can't completely rule out the possibility that another book will leap ahead of it, but I seriously doubt that will happen.
>5 vancouverdeb: Thanks for posting those articles from the Telegraph, Deb. I'll look to see what the books gang at the Guardian has to say, and post interesting articles here.
>6 lauralkeet: I think that everyone is surprised, and most are disappointed, that The Stranger's Child didn't make the shortlist. It's the only book I've read other than The Sense of an Ending that is deserving of the prize, IMO.
>7 Donna828: Sadly enough, The Sense of an Ending isn't scheduled to be published in the US until late January. Hopefully the US publisher, Knopf, can be convinced or will decide to release it there well before then.
>8 kiwidoc: I completely agree with you, Karen. The Barnes is clearly the best of the lot, IMO, and I think it's the only novel published in 2011 that I've given 5 stars to. Based on your comments I'll read Derby Day sooner rather than later, and I may read it before Half Blood Blues.
Despite my relatively low ranking (sixth of the seven longlisted books I've read so far), I'm also glad that Pigeon English made it to the second round. I suspect that Snowdrops will be the last book that I read from the longlist, and I may wait until October to get to it.
BTW, I'm also planning to investigate, and probably read, many of the novels that were speculated by others to be strong candidates for this year's longlist. I've read two of those books, The Cat's Table by Michael Ondaatje (which should have made it), and The Last Gift by Abdulrazak Gurnah (longlist maybe, but not good enough for the shortlist), and I have purchased four other books here, Pure by Andrew Miller, Anatomy of a Disappearance by Hisham Matar, Waterline by Ross Raisin, and Chinaman by Shehan Karuntilaka. I'll probably alternate one longlisted book with one that wasn't selected, and comment about these books, perhaps on a thread here for the "best of the rest". Rachael (FlossieT) from the 75 Books group highly recommended Chinaman, so I'll probably read that book next, followed by Half Blood Blues.
I don't feel strongly one way or the other about the failure of A Cupboard Full of Coats to make the shortlist, as I didn't think it had a chance of winning. I did like it, though.
I strongly think that The Sense of an Ending is the novel that is most deserving of the prize. I can't completely rule out the possibility that another book will leap ahead of it, but I seriously doubt that will happen.
>5 vancouverdeb: Thanks for posting those articles from the Telegraph, Deb. I'll look to see what the books gang at the Guardian has to say, and post interesting articles here.
>6 lauralkeet: I think that everyone is surprised, and most are disappointed, that The Stranger's Child didn't make the shortlist. It's the only book I've read other than The Sense of an Ending that is deserving of the prize, IMO.
>7 Donna828: Sadly enough, The Sense of an Ending isn't scheduled to be published in the US until late January. Hopefully the US publisher, Knopf, can be convinced or will decide to release it there well before then.
>8 kiwidoc: I completely agree with you, Karen. The Barnes is clearly the best of the lot, IMO, and I think it's the only novel published in 2011 that I've given 5 stars to. Based on your comments I'll read Derby Day sooner rather than later, and I may read it before Half Blood Blues.
10Donna828
>9 kidzdoc:: Sadly enough, The Sense of an Ending isn't scheduled to be published in the US until late January.
Ah, that explains why my library doesn't have it listed.
Ah, that explains why my library doesn't have it listed.
11Nickelini
I've read two of those books, The Cat's Table by Michael Ondaatje (which should have made it),
I've heard that the reason may be that it didn't make the cut off date (which is apparently unknown?). This is speculation, of course. We'll know better if it shows up on next year's list.
I've heard that the reason may be that it didn't make the cut off date (which is apparently unknown?). This is speculation, of course. We'll know better if it shows up on next year's list.
12kidzdoc
>11 Nickelini: If I understand the rules of entry correctly, any novel published in the UK between October 1 of the preceding year and September 30 of the current year qualifies for the award. The Cat's Table was published on August 25, so it would have met the cutoff date.
If I were to rank it alongside the other longlisted novels I've read, it would fall in third place, after the Barnes and the Hollinghurst and before the Barry.
If I were to rank it alongside the other longlisted novels I've read, it would fall in third place, after the Barnes and the Hollinghurst and before the Barry.
13Cariola
10> The Sense of an Ending is available on audio (at least it is on audible.com), but it's probably not a book I'd want to consume in that format.
14rainpebble
All in all, though I've not read any of them, going to the book page and reading the reviews and * ratings, I don't feel badly that I have taken a pass on all of them other than perhaps The Sense of an Ending. Besides that one, none of them sound thrilling to me from your reviews.
15kiwidoc
Thanks for posting your 'not-the-Booker' (best of the rest) suggestions, Darryl. It is perhaps something we could continue after the final announcement - the books we all thought were Booker-worthy and were overlooked!
(I am one of the few people who is not a great fan of Ondaatje, but it is probably because I have no imagination.
(I am one of the few people who is not a great fan of Ondaatje, but it is probably because I have no imagination.
16Cariola
14> I'm with you, Belva. I read and did enjoy Jamrach's Menagerie as an LTER book, but few of the others have caught my interest.
17kiwidoc
Here is the Guardian Podcast about the shortlist.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/audio/2011/sep/06/booker-prize-books-shortlist-2...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/audio/2011/sep/06/booker-prize-books-shortlist-2...
18wookiebender
What, no Hollinghurst??
19alexdaw
Oooh very pleased about Barnes making it.....am really enjoying On Canaan's Side so far - listening to the audio book which I'm really really enjoying....very good reader.....
20kiwidoc
I think everyone agrees that the Barnes book is a good read - but can such a short novel make it into the winner's spot. It is small and only about 160 pages to the small size.
21wookiebender
Didn't Amsterdam win the Booker? The copy on my shelves (as yet unread) looks like less than 160pp.
Although I do get the feeling that Amsterdam winning was a consolation prize to McEwan for not having won it previously, people do say it's not his best work.
My Australian bookgroup is (quietly) buzzing with the news that Stella Rimington said that the shortlist was chosen on the basis of "readability". Hm.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booker-prize/8744781/Man-Booker-Prize-d...
Although I do get the feeling that Amsterdam winning was a consolation prize to McEwan for not having won it previously, people do say it's not his best work.
My Australian bookgroup is (quietly) buzzing with the news that Stella Rimington said that the shortlist was chosen on the basis of "readability". Hm.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booker-prize/8744781/Man-Booker-Prize-d...
22kiwidoc
Amsterdam is defo a bigger book cf. Sense of an Ending - larger in actual page size and it must be over 200 pages. Chesil Beach is a smaller book, though. (178 pages as I just looked it up)
Interesting to read the Rimington comments - thanks for posting that, wookiebender. Having read all but one of the shortlist, I am not sure it represents that aspect of literature at all - except the Dewitt and Barnes book.
Interesting to read the Rimington comments - thanks for posting that, wookiebender. Having read all but one of the shortlist, I am not sure it represents that aspect of literature at all - except the Dewitt and Barnes book.
23RidgewayGirl
Well, that's the silliest thing I have ever read. Choosing books on the basis of being not too long, and being able to be zipped through? Yeah, that's great for choosing a fourth grader's summer reading or something to give your father in law for his birthday, but not as criteria for choosing the year's best literary novel. There are plenty of book awards aimed at "readability", but fewer and fewer that award the authors who are doing something new and interesting with language or have accomplished something truly noteworthy. And those books that cheerfully entertain are already rewarded with bestseller status and wide popularity. Maybe the committee could save time and just choose the number one bestseller for the year.
If this year's judges had been around last year, no way would The Children's Book or Wolf Hall have made it onto the shortlist.
So now the Booker is turning into the equivalent of the Richard and Judy stamp on a book's cover. I'll see it and know that I will be entertained for a few hours without having to do any of that tiresome thinking. No more worrying about being challenged, astonished or entangled by a Booker Prize-winning novel.
/end of rant
If this year's judges had been around last year, no way would The Children's Book or Wolf Hall have made it onto the shortlist.
So now the Booker is turning into the equivalent of the Richard and Judy stamp on a book's cover. I'll see it and know that I will be entertained for a few hours without having to do any of that tiresome thinking. No more worrying about being challenged, astonished or entangled by a Booker Prize-winning novel.
/end of rant
24kiwidoc
Well said, RidgewayGirl. I think it is an embarrassment to the prize to make an announcement such as that.
26RidgewayGirl
She wrote a short, zippy spy thriller.
28kidzdoc
One of the judges, Susan Hill, posted this comment on her Twitter page (@susanhillwriter):
Hurrah! Man Booker judges accused of 'dumbing down.' They mean our shortlist is readable and enjoyable.
Um...I don't think that's what they/we mean. Thoughts?
Hurrah! Man Booker judges accused of 'dumbing down.' They mean our shortlist is readable and enjoyable.
Um...I don't think that's what they/we mean. Thoughts?
30RidgewayGirl
Maybe it wasn't zippy and enjoyable.
The Hollinghurst was also snubbed.
Readable and enjoyable are such subjective terms. I tremendously enjoyed last year's Wolf Hall and spent time reading that should have been spent doing other things. I am "enjoying" The Brothers Sisters much less, although it is shorter than Wolf Hall, so if that's a criterion, than that wins. The Brothers Sisters is easy to put down, though, and I never have to think about where I left off.
If this attitude were to be extended to, say, the Oscars, we would see Bridesmaids win, in a narrow victory over Easy A, while Midnight in Paris, Tree of Life and any other serious movie.
It comes down to what the Booker is for. How I see it, and clearly, from the comments of this year's judges, I am wrong, is that the Booker brings to the public attention authors who are serious and doing new things with language and structure, giving them a wider readership. It also rewards those authors who have made a career of taking chances, of not writing the same popular book over and over. Without the Booker, I would probably not have discovered how fantastic Hilary Mantel and A.S. Byatt are, among dozens of others. I think I would have found The Sisters Brothers (sorry to keep using this as the example - it's the one I have experience with) in any case, what with the strong graphic design, the YouTube video and it's own easy popularity.
The Hollinghurst was also snubbed.
Readable and enjoyable are such subjective terms. I tremendously enjoyed last year's Wolf Hall and spent time reading that should have been spent doing other things. I am "enjoying" The Brothers Sisters much less, although it is shorter than Wolf Hall, so if that's a criterion, than that wins. The Brothers Sisters is easy to put down, though, and I never have to think about where I left off.
If this attitude were to be extended to, say, the Oscars, we would see Bridesmaids win, in a narrow victory over Easy A, while Midnight in Paris, Tree of Life and any other serious movie.
It comes down to what the Booker is for. How I see it, and clearly, from the comments of this year's judges, I am wrong, is that the Booker brings to the public attention authors who are serious and doing new things with language and structure, giving them a wider readership. It also rewards those authors who have made a career of taking chances, of not writing the same popular book over and over. Without the Booker, I would probably not have discovered how fantastic Hilary Mantel and A.S. Byatt are, among dozens of others. I think I would have found The Sisters Brothers (sorry to keep using this as the example - it's the one I have experience with) in any case, what with the strong graphic design, the YouTube video and it's own easy popularity.
31kiwidoc
#30 - to summarize - we are looking to the Booker for innovative art, not popular mainstream reads. The judges seem to be saying something different this year.
33Mr.Durick
But Bridesmaids is a better movie than Midnight in Paris or The Tree of Life. The presumption of gravitas is not substance itself.
Robert
Robert
34katiekrug
The presumption of gravitas is not substance itself.
Robert - I may have to get that embroidered on a pillow. I think this is a common misconception (when subconscious) and a common conceit (when conscious).
With regard to this year's Bookers, I've only read Jamrach's Menagerie and The Sisters Brothers so far, and while I enjoyed both, I am not convinced that there are not better books out there that are also "readable" and "approachable." I found them both kind of shallow and predictable. I think this year's judging panel was basically lazy.
Robert - I may have to get that embroidered on a pillow. I think this is a common misconception (when subconscious) and a common conceit (when conscious).
With regard to this year's Bookers, I've only read Jamrach's Menagerie and The Sisters Brothers so far, and while I enjoyed both, I am not convinced that there are not better books out there that are also "readable" and "approachable." I found them both kind of shallow and predictable. I think this year's judging panel was basically lazy.
35Cait86
I'm rather put off reading any more Booker novels at the moment, given this shortlist. I've read three of the six, and only enjoyed the Barnes. I want to read Half Blood Blues, but started the Kelman and quickly gave up, and am not rushing to get to the Birch. Sad.
On the plus side, the Giller longlist for Canadian fiction seems much more promising this year.
On the plus side, the Giller longlist for Canadian fiction seems much more promising this year.
37RidgewayGirl
I've finished The Sisters Brothers, which was a darkly comic Western, very clever and with much thought put into the design, but lacking in depth.
I'm going to give Snowdrops a go next. Maybe that will restore my faith in this year's choices.
Last year's shortlist was full of impressive novels--maybe there just wasn't much to choose from this year? And next year will bring new judges who will, perhaps, put less emphasis on the short and zippy.
I'm going to give Snowdrops a go next. Maybe that will restore my faith in this year's choices.
Last year's shortlist was full of impressive novels--maybe there just wasn't much to choose from this year? And next year will bring new judges who will, perhaps, put less emphasis on the short and zippy.
38kidzdoc
I'm currently alternating between actual longlisted novels, and other ones that were recommended by others for the longlist, from the list of books I posted in the Best eligible books not selected for the longlist thread within this group. With the exception of The Sense of an Ending and The Stranger's Child, I'm enjoying the non-longlisted books much more. The completist in me still wants to finish this year's longlist, but it has become more of a chore than the pleasurable task that it would have been in most years.
The blame for this year's disappointing longlist and shortlist falls squarely on the prize's Advisory Committee, who were the ones that chose this group of judges. I would hope that the committee is reading the negative comments of readers and critics, and will come up with a more suitable set of judges next year.
The blame for this year's disappointing longlist and shortlist falls squarely on the prize's Advisory Committee, who were the ones that chose this group of judges. I would hope that the committee is reading the negative comments of readers and critics, and will come up with a more suitable set of judges next year.
39Cariola
I wonder if the wide response to the voting for Best of the Bookers had something to do with the desire to popularize the prize?
40wookiebender
I read The Sense of an Ending over the weekend, and it was quite marvellous. But whether it'll actually win, well, deity only knows what the judges are thinking. The Booker is hard enough to predict as it is!
So I'm halfway through the short list, and Snowdrops is available at the library (must... resist... reserving...), while Pigeon English and Half Blood Blues are all out, with a number of reserves.
If they asked me I'd say that The Sisters Brothers was my favourite read; but Sense of an Ending is a much better book. :) And I might ask back why Jamrach's Menagerie is on the short list at all. (And not Hollinghurst.)
So I'm halfway through the short list, and Snowdrops is available at the library (must... resist... reserving...), while Pigeon English and Half Blood Blues are all out, with a number of reserves.
If they asked me I'd say that The Sisters Brothers was my favourite read; but Sense of an Ending is a much better book. :) And I might ask back why Jamrach's Menagerie is on the short list at all. (And not Hollinghurst.)
41kidzdoc
I finished Snowdrops yesterday (ugh), and The Sisters Brothers, which I liked, on Sunday. So, I've completed the shortlist, and only have to read Far to Go to complete the longlist. Here is my final shortlist ranking:
1. The Sense of an Ending
2. The Sisters Brothers
3. Pigeon English
4. Jamrach's Menagerie
5. Half Blood Blues
6. Snowdrops
IMO, The Sense of an Ending is the best and most deserving book, although I really enjoyed The Sisters Brothers, and I expect that the jury will choose it as the winner. I would be very disappointed if they chose any of the other four books.
1. The Sense of an Ending
2. The Sisters Brothers
3. Pigeon English
4. Jamrach's Menagerie
5. Half Blood Blues
6. Snowdrops
IMO, The Sense of an Ending is the best and most deserving book, although I really enjoyed The Sisters Brothers, and I expect that the jury will choose it as the winner. I would be very disappointed if they chose any of the other four books.
42kidzdoc
You can go ahead and place your bets for the Booker Prize winner now. Lucy the Wonder-Pup has spoken.
Harvard Book Store Presents: Lucy the Wonder-Pup Picks the Booker
I agree with her choice, as I mentioned in above. Given the way she love-attacked the guy who held the "winning" book, I suspect that he sprayed himself with eau de bacon beforehand.
Maybe Lucy can be one of the judges in 2012?
Harvard Book Store Presents: Lucy the Wonder-Pup Picks the Booker
I agree with her choice, as I mentioned in above. Given the way she love-attacked the guy who held the "winning" book, I suspect that he sprayed himself with eau de bacon beforehand.
Maybe Lucy can be one of the judges in 2012?
43bostonbibliophile
I heard the publication of the Barnes book has been pushed up to October for the US so we should get it soon-ish.
44Cariola
I will be truly shocked if this Booker committee chooses the Barnes. They are on about the same intellectual par as Lucy. No insult to the book of her choice or its lovers intended. I haven't read it but respect the opinion of many of you who have.
I did really like Jamrach's Menagerie, although I agree that the ending was rather a let-down. It's obviously not to everyone's taste, and I was surprised that I ended up thinking highly of it. What sold me was the beauty of her prose and the creation of a unique, believable, consistent narrator who matured as the story developed. (But I still think Lucy is right!)
I did really like Jamrach's Menagerie, although I agree that the ending was rather a let-down. It's obviously not to everyone's taste, and I was surprised that I ended up thinking highly of it. What sold me was the beauty of her prose and the creation of a unique, believable, consistent narrator who matured as the story developed. (But I still think Lucy is right!)
45kiwidoc
I haven't read Half Blood Blues but otherwise my list in order of prefence is:
Sense of an Ending
Sister's Brothers
Pigeon English
Snowdrops
Jamrach's Menagerie
Who do I think will win?
Probably the one I liked the least, if past history is anything to go on, ie Jamrach's Menagerie. I will be unhappy if any but the Barnes is the winner.
Sense of an Ending
Sister's Brothers
Pigeon English
Snowdrops
Jamrach's Menagerie
Who do I think will win?
Probably the one I liked the least, if past history is anything to go on, ie Jamrach's Menagerie. I will be unhappy if any but the Barnes is the winner.
46brenpike
#41. Having read all but the Barnes, I agree with your ranking. I loved The Sisters Brothers and would be happy if it won. I am eager to read The Sense of an Ending and have been patiently waiting for an ILL request to come through for me . . . Looks like I may have to break down and order a copy of my own!
47kidzdoc
>43 bostonbibliophile: Right; The Sense of an Ending will be released in the US on October 11th.
>44 Cariola: Shame on you for slandering Lucy, Deborah! She's clearly superior to the members of the jury.
I seem to have a far higher opinion of Pigeon English, and a much lower one of Jamrach's Menagerie, than most people who have read and rated these books, particuarly the members of the discussion group on the Booker Prize's web site. I probably won't do it, but it may be one of those books that I have a higher opinion about on a second reading. BTW, I do plan to re-read The Sense of an Ending this coming weekend, and review it on Sunday.
I forgot to comment on your question in message 39, about the desire of Ion Trewin and the other members of the committee that oversees the prize to make it more accessible and interesting to the average reader. I think that you are spot on, and that this desire had a lot to do with the selection of this year's judges, and the recent Best of Beryl Bainbridge vote (five of her novels were longlisted for the prize, but none won). I also wonder if the selection of a populist group of judges this year was influenced by a perceived lack of "readability" of some of the previous winners and longlisted novels, such as Wolf Hall (which I absolutely loved) and C (which I didn't like and found to be nearly unreadable). I expect that there will be a strong backlash against this jury and the committee that oversees the Booker Prize after the winner is announced.
>44 Cariola: Shame on you for slandering Lucy, Deborah! She's clearly superior to the members of the jury.
I seem to have a far higher opinion of Pigeon English, and a much lower one of Jamrach's Menagerie, than most people who have read and rated these books, particuarly the members of the discussion group on the Booker Prize's web site. I probably won't do it, but it may be one of those books that I have a higher opinion about on a second reading. BTW, I do plan to re-read The Sense of an Ending this coming weekend, and review it on Sunday.
I forgot to comment on your question in message 39, about the desire of Ion Trewin and the other members of the committee that oversees the prize to make it more accessible and interesting to the average reader. I think that you are spot on, and that this desire had a lot to do with the selection of this year's judges, and the recent Best of Beryl Bainbridge vote (five of her novels were longlisted for the prize, but none won). I also wonder if the selection of a populist group of judges this year was influenced by a perceived lack of "readability" of some of the previous winners and longlisted novels, such as Wolf Hall (which I absolutely loved) and C (which I didn't like and found to be nearly unreadable). I expect that there will be a strong backlash against this jury and the committee that oversees the Booker Prize after the winner is announced.
48kidzdoc
>45 kiwidoc: I will be disappointed if Barnes doesn't win, although I could accept it if deWitt won. I would be very unhappy if any of the others came out on top.
>46 brenpike: I hope that you can get The Sense of an Ending soon. It can be read in one sitting, although I think I read it over two days, as I wanted to slowly savor and reflect on it. I think it's the best novel I've read that has been published this year, and the only one I've given a five star rating.
>46 brenpike: I hope that you can get The Sense of an Ending soon. It can be read in one sitting, although I think I read it over two days, as I wanted to slowly savor and reflect on it. I think it's the best novel I've read that has been published this year, and the only one I've given a five star rating.
49vancouverdeb
I still have not read The Sense of Ending - though I have it on my Kindle...
But I'd be delighted if the The Sisters Brothers won!;)
I suspect from what I've read that The Sense of an Ending will win the booker.
From the shortlisted bookers that I've read
Sisters Brothers
Pigeon English.
I've got Snowdrops on my TBR shelves -but I picked it up and read a bit of it -and it seemed so predictable that I dropped it, for now
I'm still waiting for The Book Depository to drop off Half Blood Blues via the mail.
Jamrach's Menagerie simply did not interest me, but that's just me. It will be interesting to see which book wins the Booker.
But I'd be delighted if the The Sisters Brothers won!;)
I suspect from what I've read that The Sense of an Ending will win the booker.
From the shortlisted bookers that I've read
Sisters Brothers
Pigeon English.
I've got Snowdrops on my TBR shelves -but I picked it up and read a bit of it -and it seemed so predictable that I dropped it, for now
I'm still waiting for The Book Depository to drop off Half Blood Blues via the mail.
Jamrach's Menagerie simply did not interest me, but that's just me. It will be interesting to see which book wins the Booker.
50kidzdoc
The Bookseller reports that this year's shortlist is the best selling one in the history of the award:
2011 Man Booker shortlist most popular ever
Snowdrops is the most popular novel, selling nearly 12,000 copies since the shortlist was announced, followed by Jamrach's Menagerie and The Sense of an Ending.
Good news: more people are reading Booker shortlisted novels than in any other year. Bad news: some (including me) would say that this shortlist is one of the worst ones in the history of the award.
I'm concerned that Ion Trewin and the committee that chooses the judges may view this year as a successful one, and select judges in future years that are more likely to recommend mainstream and mediocre novels that will sell well, rather than the best works of literary fiction.
2011 Man Booker shortlist most popular ever
Snowdrops is the most popular novel, selling nearly 12,000 copies since the shortlist was announced, followed by Jamrach's Menagerie and The Sense of an Ending.
Good news: more people are reading Booker shortlisted novels than in any other year. Bad news: some (including me) would say that this shortlist is one of the worst ones in the history of the award.
I'm concerned that Ion Trewin and the committee that chooses the judges may view this year as a successful one, and select judges in future years that are more likely to recommend mainstream and mediocre novels that will sell well, rather than the best works of literary fiction.
52vancouverdeb
Thanks for posting that, Darryl. So interesting! I've got Snowdrops on my shelf - but I started it and it seemed so predictable. I'll get to it eventually.
53RidgewayGirl
This message has been deleted by its author.
54Soupdragon
I actually enjoyed Snowdrops but would be horrified if it won the Booker prize!
55RidgewayGirl
That's how I feel about The Brothers Sisters. Except replace "horrified" with "resigned."
56vancouverdeb
I don't think I'll mind which book wins the Booker. By reading a number of the longlisted Bookers, and several of the shortlisted Bookers - I've enriched my reading experience this year. I'm sorry that I've yet to read the Sense of an Ending - but it will be my next read.
What did any of you think of last year's Booker Winner,The Finkler Question. Did you think it was a good book to win? Personally, I've not read it .. yet anyway.
Was the Finkler Question the right book to win the Booker?
What did any of you think of last year's Booker Winner,The Finkler Question. Did you think it was a good book to win? Personally, I've not read it .. yet anyway.
Was the Finkler Question the right book to win the Booker?
57alexdaw
I didn't read enough of the Bookers last year to make a judgement about The Finkler Question. It was described as a comedy and humour is something that changes from country to country. I didn't find it particularly funny at all and yet others found it hilarious apparently.....so....it's a hard one....I thought it was interesting but I liked Barnes much better this year.
58vancouverdeb
Thanks for that, alexdaw. I was just curious.
59kidzdoc
>56 vancouverdeb: I read all six shortlisted books last year, and I thought that The Finkler Question was the best of the bunch. You can read my review of The Finkler Question here.
I plan to re-read The Sense of an Ending this coming weekend, and I'll review it early next week.
I plan to re-read The Sense of an Ending this coming weekend, and I'll review it early next week.
60lauralkeet
The Finkler Question: gaak, urgh, hairball, yech.
Sorry, Darryl!
Sorry, Darryl!
61RidgewayGirl
I think that the shortlist is much more meaningful than the actual winner. The shortlist gives us a snapshot of the very best in Commonwealth writing for a given year. And if this is the very best, then it was a lousy year for literature.
The year Vernon God Little won, the shortlist was fabulous, comprising Oryx and Crake, Brick Lane, The Good Doctor, Astonishing Splashes of Colour and Notes on a Scandal. Vernon God Little was a topical book that became a bestseller, but it wasn't very good. The other books were excellent. The actual winner is often hotly debated, but not the shortlist, outside of the usual "What do you mean XXXX wasn't chosen?"
The year Vernon God Little won, the shortlist was fabulous, comprising Oryx and Crake, Brick Lane, The Good Doctor, Astonishing Splashes of Colour and Notes on a Scandal. Vernon God Little was a topical book that became a bestseller, but it wasn't very good. The other books were excellent. The actual winner is often hotly debated, but not the shortlist, outside of the usual "What do you mean XXXX wasn't chosen?"
62kiwidoc
!00 pages into my last shortlisted book Half Blood Blues and enjoying it alot. (sorry Darryl 'cos I know you were not so impressed).
If it continues as is, it will be at the top of the list, behind Barnes but no-one else. I think her writing is impressive and the characters alive and real. I also found the 'black vernacular' easier to read than the Stephen Kelman colloquialisms.
I would not be unhappy if this one wins if the second half delivers up.
If it continues as is, it will be at the top of the list, behind Barnes but no-one else. I think her writing is impressive and the characters alive and real. I also found the 'black vernacular' easier to read than the Stephen Kelman colloquialisms.
I would not be unhappy if this one wins if the second half delivers up.
63vancouverdeb
@61 - I'm with your there, Ridgeway Girl. I would agree that the shortlist is more meaningful than the winner. I have't really tried to read the Finkler's Question but it has not held out much of an appeal to me.
@62 - glad you are enjoying Half Blood Blues. Mine is still on the shelf...
@62 - glad you are enjoying Half Blood Blues. Mine is still on the shelf...
64kiwidoc
So.... now that I have read the shortlist, this is my final final list
Sense of an Ending - I give it 4 and a half stars.
A half off for the small size of the book, which is perhaps not fair, but nevertheless it ended too too soon.
Half Blood Blues - 4 stars.
I took a star off for the middle portion, when the band players were getting together. I thought it dragged a bit there. Otherwise this was a great read for me. I loved her style, the characters and the tension. I read the reviewed criticisms - not enough about the Nazis, not enough about the talented 'boy', etc - , but felt personally that her perspective was just fine. It is a book about friendship, culture and jazz, and betrayal. I would not be unhappy to see it win.
Sister's Brothers - four stars. A well-written, smart and clever book. Fun, but somehow the characterization was slightly wooden and callous. Yes - it is male;Yes - it is a Western, but it puts the book third for me.
Pigeon English - 3.75 stars. Good. Not great. - flawed like most first books.
Snowdrops - 3.7 stars. Enjoyed the read. Not the winner in my books.
Jamrach's Menagerie - 3 stars. Not for me.
Sense of an Ending - I give it 4 and a half stars.
A half off for the small size of the book, which is perhaps not fair, but nevertheless it ended too too soon.
Half Blood Blues - 4 stars.
I took a star off for the middle portion, when the band players were getting together. I thought it dragged a bit there. Otherwise this was a great read for me. I loved her style, the characters and the tension. I read the reviewed criticisms - not enough about the Nazis, not enough about the talented 'boy', etc - , but felt personally that her perspective was just fine. It is a book about friendship, culture and jazz, and betrayal. I would not be unhappy to see it win.
Sister's Brothers - four stars. A well-written, smart and clever book. Fun, but somehow the characterization was slightly wooden and callous. Yes - it is male;Yes - it is a Western, but it puts the book third for me.
Pigeon English - 3.75 stars. Good. Not great. - flawed like most first books.
Snowdrops - 3.7 stars. Enjoyed the read. Not the winner in my books.
Jamrach's Menagerie - 3 stars. Not for me.
65brenpike
I finished The Sense of An Ending last night, apparently just in time for tonight's award.
My ranking would go like this:
The Sisters Brothers
Jamrach's Menagerie
The Sense of An Ending
Pigeon English
Half Blood Blues
Snowdrops
My ranking would go like this:
The Sisters Brothers
Jamrach's Menagerie
The Sense of An Ending
Pigeon English
Half Blood Blues
Snowdrops
66kidzdoc
From what I can tell, only three of us (myself, kiwidoc and brenpike) have finished and ranked all of the shortlisted novels. The Sense of an Ending received first place votes from kiwidoc and me, and The Sisters Brothers received the other first place vote from brenpike.
The winner will be announced within the next 30-40 minutes.
The winner will be announced within the next 30-40 minutes.
67AnneDC
I gave up on getting through the whole shortlist.
My preferences (but you already know based on my shortlist predictions that this counts for nothing)
The Sense of an Ending
The Sisters Brothers
Snowdrops
Jamrach's Menagerie
I have no reason to think based on what I've heard that either Pigeon English or Half Blood Blues would sway me from ranking The Sense of an Ending first.
My preferences (but you already know based on my shortlist predictions that this counts for nothing)
The Sense of an Ending
The Sisters Brothers
Snowdrops
Jamrach's Menagerie
I have no reason to think based on what I've heard that either Pigeon English or Half Blood Blues would sway me from ranking The Sense of an Ending first.
68kidzdoc
So, given Anne's prediction of the books that would make the shortlist, I proclaim that Jamrach's Menagerie will win.
Any minute now...
Any minute now...
69kidzdoc
Breaking news: The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes is the winner of the 2011 Booker Prize.
70cushlareads
Yay!!!!!
72kidzdoc
Here's a link to the press announcement:
http://themanbookerprize.com/news/stories/1554
According to Stella Rimington, the chair of judges: "Julian Barnes' The Sense of an Ending has the markings of a classic of English Literature. It is exquisitely written, subtly plotted and reveals new depths with each reading."
http://themanbookerprize.com/news/stories/1554
According to Stella Rimington, the chair of judges: "Julian Barnes' The Sense of an Ending has the markings of a classic of English Literature. It is exquisitely written, subtly plotted and reveals new depths with each reading."
73RidgewayGirl
Huh. So all that stuff about needing to zippy and readable lost out to good writing. It is on the short side, so that fits with the stated criteria.
I got my copy of Jamrach's Menagerie today, but I'm not excited.
I got my copy of Jamrach's Menagerie today, but I'm not excited.
74kidzdoc
I would have loved to have been present in the room where the judges met today to determine the winner. And, I can't help but wonder if they (especially Dame Rimington) succumbed to the intense criticism they faced over the past couple of months, and chose The Sense of an Ending to avoid any further controversy.
75kidzdoc
The Guardian already has a 10+ minute Books Podcast about the winner, the other shortlisted books, the books that the members felt should have been on the shortlist, and this "bad year for the Booker":
Guardian Books podcast: Barnes wins Booker
Guardian Books podcast: Barnes wins Booker
76brenpike
Congratulations to all who were pulling for Sense of an Ending. A very good book, not as memorable for me as the story driven deWitt or even the Birch, but a great book.
77GCPLreader
I am happy that the winning book has such a favorable rating by group members. I'm just bummed that after I read so many of the nominated books, my library still doesn't have the Barnes available and I was unable to play along. -patience, patience
78kiwidoc
Well - it really was the only contender for my money - so I am glad. Well done, Julian. You have finally been given some international recognition.
79laytonwoman3rd
My library doesn't have it yet, either. So I put a hold on Arthur and George---I must read something by Barnes. I've waited too long.
80RidgewayGirl
I had forgotten that it was Julian Barnes who wrote Arthur and George, which is really very good. I'm looking forward to reading The Sense of an Ending.
82laytonwoman3rd
*81 Oh, I know, Laura. Just trying to curb my non-collectible book buying for a bit.
83lauralkeet
>82 laytonwoman3rd:: there lies madness.
84kidzdoc
The video of last night's announcement is now available on YouTube, which features a speech by Stella Rimington in defense of herself and her fellow judges, and a much shorter acceptance speech by Julian Barnes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S3DzO9dIos&feature=share
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S3DzO9dIos&feature=share

