Almost time for the 2018 Man Booker judges to announce their longlist to readers, not to mention publishers, waiting with bated breath to see if their favourites are amongst the chosen few. This year’s a special one. As I’m sure you all know, It’s the prize’s fiftieth anniversary which has been celebrated with a string of events, culminating in the coronation of Michael Ondaatje’s The English Patient as the Golden Man Booker ten days ago. There’s also been a little celebration over at Shiny New Books where contributors have been writing about their own favourites.
Regular readers will know that any similarity between my wish list and the 2018 Man Booker judges’ longlist is likely to be entirely coincidental. To be eligible for the prize all books must be published in the UK between October 1st 2017 and 30th September 2018 and have been written in English. Like the judges I’ve allowed myself twelve, although they sometimes stretch to thirteen. Their list will be revealed on Tuesday 24th July but here’s mine – wishes not predictions, see above – in no particular order, with links to my reviews.
Sugar Money The Ninth Hour A Long Way from Home
The Immortalists From a Low and Quiet Sea White Houses
The Life to Come Putney All Among the Barley
Transcription Bitter Orange Now We Shall Be Entirely Free
It’s quite possible that I’ll read a gem I’d loved to have included here published before 30th September – I’m reasonably sure that Patrick deWitt’s French Exit would make my cut and William Boyd’s Love is Blind is due in September– but I’m sticking to novels I’ve read. And if I had to choose one? That would be Kate Atkinson’s Transcription but no doubt the judges will disagree with me on that yet again.
What about you? What would you like to see on the list, and what do you think the judges will plump for?
I’m really hoping Jeet Thayil’s “The Book of Chocolate Saints” makes the list, totally under appreciated, hardly even acknowledged upon release.
I’m sorry to say that it’s new to me but I’ll check it out. Thanks, Tony
New to everyone I think, completely under the radar. If it makes the longlist I’m sure that will make up for it – his 1st novel “Narcopolis” was shortlisted, so he has “form”. I loved this one, an Indian “Savage Detectives”.
Fingers crossed it does then. Great books so often get lost when there’s no media brouhaha attached to their publication. It’s a great shame
I’ve only read one book this year that would qualify and I wasn’t overly fond of it.
Well, you’ll have to tell me what it was, April!
I think I’ll keep that to myself. You never know whether you’re going to have dealings in the future with an author whose books you haven’t enjoyed.
Very wise!
What an intriguing mix! I’ve just started reading Tom Rachman’s The Italian Teacher and am adoring it. Of your picks, I’ve only read the Donal Ryan, which probably wouldn’t make my cut. But would love Bitter Oranges to be there – that’s on my pile for August.Great to hear De Witt has a new one coming out too.
The Rachman’s on my tbr list. I’ve enjoyed his previous novels very much. Bitter Orange lives up to the expectations raised by Fuller’s previous novels. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it, Annabel.
Great to see your picks! I’m so eager to read Transcription and Bitter Orange.
Thanks, Eric. I’m sure you’ll love both. I’m desparate for Kate Atkinson to make it onto at least the longlist. We’ll see…
I’ve read so many older books this year that I can’t think of a single book that I could nominate, but seeing names like Claire Fuller, Kate Atkinson and Melissa Harrison tells me that I can’t argue with your list at all and that it is probably time I read rather more contemporary literary fiction
I do hope the judges agree with you, Jane! All three are well worth your time. Writers at the top of their form.
Really looking forward to Transcription! I would also love to see Sight by Jessie Greengrass on the list.
Transcription is all you could hope for from a new Atkinson. I haven’t read Sight yet but I wouldn’t be a bit surprised to see it longlisted.
Like Jane, I haven’t read enough contemporary fiction this year to contribute anything to the Booker debate, but your inclusion of Melissa Harrison’s novel is very encouraging to see. i definitely liked the sound of it from your preview the other day.
I’ll be posting a full review of it in August, Jacqui. Although it’s set between the wars it has a very contemporary resonance, all handled very deftly.
Some interesting picks there, predictably I haven’t read any of them. Though I am interested in Bitter Orange and All Among the Barley. I always keep an eye on what gets nominated though I have lost the big interest in the Booker I once had.
I’d highly recommend both of those titles. It’s far from my favourite prize, Ali, but like you I keep an eye on the titles that appear on the long and short lists.
I haven’t read any of them, nor any contemporary fiction this year yet, but in my heart I’ll be rooting for Helen DeWitt’s Some Trick (though short stories, so I’m not sure would be eligible?) and Olivia Laing’s Crudo. Laing is such a great writer, seeing her span the divide into fiction with as much accolade as her non-fiction would be awesome.
Sad to say short stories aren’t eligible, Belinda. I’ve heard many good things about Crudo but have yet to read it.
I think it will be a while before I read it too, but I expect it is worth waiting for. Hopefully some of your faves make the longlist this year.
Thanks! Fingers crossed…
I’m never up to date on my reading but Miller and Atkinson are 2 of my favourite authors so very pleased to see they made your list!
I’d be happy if either made the judges’ list too but Transcription is my favourite.
Something to think about this weekend! I added Bitter Orange to my TBR list. White Houses was not a favorite–did not capture “my” Eleanor and Hick. I’ll think about this and see what I can come up with. I’m off to investigate a few of your choices.
I remember that I was much more impressed by the Bloom than you, I suspect because you know more about Eleanor and Hick than I do. I hope you like the Fuller and that a few of the others take your fancy!
We’ll see. I will review them when/if I get to them.
Some of these I’ve read (Life to Come, Low and Quiet, White Houses) and some I own (Putney, Bitter Orange). Do you think the publishing industry can laugh at itself enough to give de Kretser the prize?! I haven’t devoted any thinking time to predictions but from your list, I’d go for Low & Quiet Sea – I loved that book, particularly the first section.
Probably not! I find it more fun to list what I’d like to see rather than what I think will be on the list but there are a few here I think might make it. The Ryan was such a beautiful, poignant book – I loved it too