Not my favourite prize but I can’t resist putting together a wish list for the Booker, perhaps because I know very few will be fulfilled but I’m keen to give some
more neglected titles an airing. To be eligible for the prize all books must be published in the UK between 1st October 2023 and 30th September 2024 and have been written in English. The judges usually stick to twelve although sometimes stretch to thirteen. Their list will be revealed on Tuesday 30th July but here’s mine – wishes not predictions – in no particular order, with links to my reviews for all but Our London Lives and Tell Me Everything, to be reviewed nearer publication.
Family Meal Held Parasol Against the Axe
Blue Hour Our London Lives Tell Me Everything
Several of these stand no hope whatsoever, although I think they should, unlikely even to have been nominated by their publishers. That said, one of last year’s wishes, Prophet Song, hit the jackpot, delighting and amazing me. It’s quite possible that I’ll read a gem I’d loved to have included here published before mid-September when the shortlist is announced but I’m sticking to the tried and tested. And if I had to choose one? Impossible as ever but even more so this year. It would be a toss-up between Held, Clear, James, Our London Lives and Tell Me Everything.
What about you? What would you like to see on the list, and what do you think the judges will plump for?
So far, from the books you show here, I’ve only read The Amendments, James, Clear and True Love. All of which I enjoyed a great deal. And every one of your other wishes. With the possible exception of Evie Wyld. I didn’t get on with Bass Rock, though I can no longer remember why. No predictions from me about winners. Yet.
I have high hopes for James and Clear actually appearing on the judges’ list although I was convinced the Women’s Prize judges would go for the Davies. We’ll see.
I’ve read none of these and my wishlist groweth! I haven’t read the new books by Hari Kunzru or Kevin Barry yet either but would like to have a nudge to read them sooner if included, Sinead Gleeson too
I can vouch for the Kunzru and nearly included it here. Keen to read the Barry, too.
I’ve read James, which I very much enjoyed and I would also hope to see Hisham Matar’s My Friends on the list. I like the sound of The Echoes and I do intend to read it, despite not getting on with her debut. I’m just looking forward to seeing what as yet undiscovered gems might turn up!
Me, too. I admired rather than loved the Mishtar and wouldn’t be surprised if it caught the judges’ attention. James stands a pretty good chance, I think.
I’ve completely lost track of what is even possible for the list, but I always enjoy reading peoples predictions (and it usually means adding a few things to the TBR stack).
Have heard lots of good things about the Everett.
It’s a useful reminder of what’s been published in the past year for me. I’d forgotten all about Memorial until I put this list together. James is brilliant, and stands a good chance, I’d say.
I’m not familiar with any of these – clearly, I’m not reading too many of the very recent English-language releases…
But you are reading very widely!
With a few exceptions, I’m unfamiliar with most of these authors & all of the books (I do intend to read James & perhaps Washington & Strout). Since I’m so obviously out of the loop for contemporary fiction, I’m afraid my crystal ball is murky so I offer no predictions (I would be a little surprised, however, if James didn’t make the list). I was interested to read that the Booker isn’t your “favorite prize.” Do you have particular reason you’d care to share for this? My own interest in it has been steadily declining. I used to follow the lists (long & short) very closely, reading at the short list and couple of years going for the whole 12/13. These days, however, I barely give it a glance; I seem to be less interested in the nominees, although as you say they frequently include a gem or two.
Both the Strout and the Everett are strong contenders, I think. I’m not sure I can answer that question but so many titles that have appeared on the list over the years haven’t appealed. It depends, of course, on the books publishers choose or can afford to nominate so perhaps I’m out of step. Interesting that your interest has waned, too. All that said, I was thrilled when Prophet Song won last year’s prize.
I feel very out of touch this year. The Strout seems likely and I look forward to reading it soon. The only other eligible title that I can think of that I loved and would wholeheartedly support is Wellness by Nathan Hill. We’re going to read Clear for book club this autumn (I’ll tie it in with Novellas in November if possible).
I thought the Strout was her best yet, Rebecca. I hope you love it as much as I did, and Clear, too. I was less enthusiastic about Wellness than I was about The Nix although I did enjoy it.
There’s a rumour that Held might indeed be on the longlist. If there’s any truth to that, the whole longlist might be quite different than what everyone’s been predicting so far.
I’ve only read a sample of Mouthing, but the writing style was so distinctive, I would be glad to see it on the list too.
Hmm… That’s interesting. Fingers crossed, then. Mouthing is a small gem, Paula. Yet another brilliant Irish woman writer. There seems to be an inexhaustible supply, at least I hope so!
I’m not 100% sure if ‘Praiseworthy’ by Alexis Wright is eligible or not, being published in Australia in 2023 and by New Directions in the USA this year (ie has it been published in the UK?) its won or been shortlisted for a swag of awards & is exceptional (albeit very long). If it has a UK publisher then any judge worth their salt would at least shortlist it.
I’ve just checked and it is eligible, published here in November last year but somehow passed me by. Thanks for the recommendation, Tony. I’ll add it to my tbr list.
And today it featured in the Guardian’s predictions: “Both Dawoor and Cummins thought Praiseworthy by Alexis Wright could feature. Set in northern Australia, the novel is a 736-page “mighty satirical doorstopper about Aboriginal dispossession, assimilation and climate crisis,” Dawoor said. “It is ambitious, polyphonic and utterly heedless of convention.””
In with a chance if And Other Stories has nominated it, I’d say.
James, Clear and Held would be on my wishlist too. I’d add The Heart in Winter by Kevin Barry.
I’ve a feeling that would be on my list if I’d read it, Cathy. I remember how much you rated it in your review.
What a great list so far. I am looking forward to reading Strout and Dwyer Hickey. I have Everett on bookshelf ready to read. I loved Kevin Barry’s dramatic ‘The Heart in Winter’, I think a real contender. Favourites this year include Caleb Azumah Nelson’s ‘Small Worlds’, Colin Barrett’s ‘Wild Houses’, and Cathy Sweeney’s ‘Breakdown’.
Thanks, Lucy. Very keen to read the Barry, Barrett and Sweeney. Small Worlds was one of last year’s wishes for me but, sadly, it didn’t appear on the judges’ list.
Will be interesting to see if Toibin’s new book Long Island makes the cut! And Richard Flanagan’s Question 7 has been getting great reviews but it might not be purely fiction.
Even without having read Long Island, I’ll be very put out if it doesn’t make the cut!
I don’t follow the Booker at all (and have read none of your picks) but I’d love to see The Echoes and Blue Hour solely because I want to read them! A quick glance at a list of Booker eligible titles makes me root for Samantha Harvey’s Orbital, Naomi Alderman’s The Future, Francis Spufford’s Cahokia Jazz and Sandra Newman’s Julia – not that I expect to see any of the speculative titles! I guess Harvey might have a shot – not sure what the Booker has to say about page count.
OK, just checked the rumours and apparently Orbital is on there haha.
Let’s hope they’re reliable then! I’ve heard the same about Held.
Oh no – I haven’t read any of these! Though I do already have James and Tell Me Everything on my wish list. There’s a couple of authors there that I’m interested in (like Anne Michaels), so I can see I’ll have to have a read of some of your reviews. I’m impressed you can put together a list like this. I read so few contemporary novels now – and miss them! But there’s only so many hours in the day, alas. I’ll hope that lots of your recommendations make it onto the Booker list!
Held is wonderful, so beautifully expressed, and you’re in for two very different treats with James and Tell Me Everything. Thank you. Hoping to strike lucky again this year!
I’ve not read any of these but you’ve picked many authors I really enjoy, so I hope your wishlist comes true!
Thank you! Hoping for one or two wishes to be fulfilled.
For just a second, I thought you were only going to suggest one-word-titled books as your ultimate selections. Then Tony suggested Praiseworthy and that would fit there too!
When I went through my list to pick my wishes, I was amazed to find so many eligible novels with one word titles. A new trend, perhaps!
I’m excited to see which of these make it to the longlist. James is on my reading list for sure!
I think James stands a reasonable chance. Not long to wait now…
Interesting to see James on your list. My husband has just finished it and though he enjoyed it he said it read like an adult adventure story, nothing more. Was he missing something more deep and profound?
It’s certainly an adventure story but there’s lots of Everett’s particular brand of satire which can often be slapstick. I like the way he uses humour to ridicule racists.
I’ll pass on your insights Susan. thanks for that
You got two!
Interesting list! I’m very pleased, particularly for Held. I was pretty sure James would be picked up. Lots of bloggers will be delighted to see Orbital listed, I’m sure, and Wild Houses will be another popular choice.
Interesting list with some of your predictions coming through. Great to see Wild Houses on list. I have Messud, Orange and Percival on my tbr shelve. Must read some of the female writers on the list.
I was particularly pleased to see Held on the list. Lots to explore, not least the Messud and Wild Houses for me.