My reaction to the Women's Prize for Fiction 2024 longlist
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- Опубліковано 6 сер 2024
- It's here, and my reaction is basically summed up by the Kombucha meme. Initial disappointment, but I've come around!
HUGE apologies that my microphone basically decided to give up 30 seconds into the video.
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Books mentioned:
📖 Soldier Sailor, by Claire Kilroy
📖 Western Lane, by Chetna Maroo
📖 The Wren, The Wren, by Anne Enright
📖 Brotherless Night, by V V Ganeshananthan
📖 The Restless Dolly Maunder, by Kate Grenville
📖 Enter Ghost, by Isaballa Hammad
📖 Ordinary Human Failings, by Megan Nolan
📖 8 Lives of a Century Old Trickster, by Mirinae Lee
📖 Hangman, by Maya Binyam
📖 River East, River West, by Aube Rey Lescure
📖 Nightbloom, by Peace Adzo Medie
📖 The Blue, Beautiful World, by Karen Lord
📖 In Defence of the Act, by Effie Black
📖 A Trace of Sun, by Pam Williams
📖 The Maiden, by Kate Foster
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BookTubers mentioned:
@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf
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00:00 Thoughts on the longlist
04:04 Ones I've read
05:49 Ones from previous WP authors
08:33 Ones I've heard of
12:31 Ones new to me
16:14 Final thoughts
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Thank you so much for watching.
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I'm excited about the longlist that it isn't just a bestseller/big hitter list. I get that that's surprising to some extent, but I'm glad that Yellowface isn't there for instance. And I'm always thrilled to see some small press/obscure titles be longlisted. I'm most excited for Ordinary Human Failings, I'd picked up a copy of that so have it on hand and would like to get to it soon, of course book prize season has hit us hard and fast and there's a lot of competition. There's quite a few I'm keen on for the Stella longlist also out this week, International Booker longlist is coming tomorrow, and I haven't even checked out the Carol Shields prize yet. And I'm knee deep in Middle Grade March.
Yeah absolutely - I'm definitely not wanting a list full of bestsellers! But I do think the idea that critically acclaimed = big seller isn't quite true. I read something a while back that said the average literary fiction novel only sells about 1500 copies, so even if a book might seem well-known, it can still really benefit from being recognised by a prize like this, of course so long as it is good enough!
But I am definitely coming around to the list - the more I hear about it, the more I'm getting excited about at least some of the titles!
And yes there are so many longlists coming out at the moment. Exciting but a bit overwhelming for the backlog of books to read 😅
One of the things I love about the women’s prize is hearing about books I’ve never heard of. Last year, The Bandit Queens and Black Butterflies were hidden gems I found because of the list. Looking forward to trying these. A few I have no interest in, but mostly I’m excited!
Definitely agree that I love some surprises! Bandit Queens was such a delightful discovery and I really enjoyed Black Butterflies too. I think my initial feeling was just that the balance seemed off? I still think a prize with the remit of rewarding the *best* should have plenty of room for experienced authors.
I think some poor blurbs and covers have let some of these down in terms of first impressions. But I have definitely come around to this list the more I’ve looked into it. Which is why I ended up picking up a few!
I loved Black Butterflies!!!
Enter Ghost, Ordinary Human Failings, Brotherless Night and 8 Lives of a Century-Old Trickster sound the most interesting to me!
Brotherless Night is really climbing to the top of my anticipated list. Been hearing such great things - I'd just like that paperback release date to hurry up and come around!
Hi Ben, Thank you for your thoughts! I wanted to log in and comment on the idea early in your video that we might expect a prize list to contain best that is out there. That was an expectation of mine when I started watching prize list BookTube videos for tbr ideas just this past December.
But with this list in particular it really made me think that the judges could have something entirely different in mind, like giving new people instead of established powerhouses a chance, and prioritizing diversity and "non-colonialism." My local library explains National Women's History Month on their home page in part like this: "The National Women's History Alliance designates a yearly theme for Women’s History Month. The 2024 theme is 'Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.'"
Obviously if judges come up with certain criteria, perhaps similar to the guidelines my library is focusing on, the "expected" works would not necessarily show up on lists. Nevertheless I'm sure those judges have presented a variety of well-written surprises. It all makes me think of the over- privileged white male "canon" of literature I primarily had to study in grad school, and how problematic it can be to follow a well-worn path. It makes me interested to see what is beyond the current commercial heavy hitters.
I have already started listening to 8 Lives of a Century-OldTrickster on audiobook, and I'm so impressed! It is extremely well-written, translated, and performed. But much more intense/traumatizing and meaty/thought provoking than the blurb would suggest. My conclusion is that I can't judge these books by their blurbs.
Hey - thanks for sharing yours too! Definitely recognise that it's down to the judges how they do it, and each panel could be completely different. Oh how I'd love to be a fly on the wall. *But* I will say that the stated aim of the Women's Prize is to reward "the best full-length novel of the year written in English and published in the UK". If you're seeking out overlooked books, then sure. Even critically-acclaimed literary fiction struggles to sell, so the judges writing that stuff off would be a shame.
Anyway, it's all just first impressions because I haven't read most of the list yet! I've definitely come around to it.
Glad to hear Trickster is working well for you. It's one lower down on my list but I may see how I feel when it's out in paperback in the UK next month.
That meme…I can picture you making those faces 😂😂😂 I haven’t read any of these books but some are on my TBR.
The final one took the longest - looking pleasantly surprised doesn’t come naturally 😂
I'm glad I'm not the only one who felt underwhelmed! For me too, I was a bit dismayed that only two blurbs appealed to me (selfish, I know!) but there have been times when I've wanted to read the whole longlist. As glad as I am to see many indie titles and global stories, it does feel like an intentional choice rather than these actually being *the* best, but hey it's subjective I guess. At least we were all surprised and get introduced to some new books!
Yeah I think that's it really - I want to feel like I'm being recommended the best, not just books I've missed, and that means they've got to get the balance right. But I'm definitely coming around to this list, and the proof will be in the reading!
Hi Ben, I had the opposite reaction....I'm really excited about this list, particularly as there are so many books I had never heard of. I think the only one I feel a bit uninterested in is In Defence of the Act....oh, and Western Lane that I read last year and thought was fine, but not amazing. I heave just finished Soldier Sailor and ..Wow! What a book. As a mother myself, I really related to many aspects of the book, but also my experience has been very different to hers ( basically, I have a very supportive husband 😂). Good choice for the list though!!! I'm going to read The Wren The Wren next.
Ps...I have asked the library to buy a copy of a few of these books, and I am in the South West, like you, so hopefully soon they will be in circulation in the library system 😊
Glad to hear you were a bit more pulled in than I was at first! And I’m thrilled to hear you loved Soldier Sailor. What a book. The husband was so infuriating but I also found it very funny how he presented as being supportive but was actually a dick.
Thank you for your library service!!! 🙌
Great wrap up! Glad you are feeling a bit more pumped for the list now.
You were spot on regarding Soldier Sailor. In a bit concerned that reading that one first has set the bar unbeatably high 😬
Yesss Gem, get aboard the Soldier Sailor hype train. It’s SUCH a banger.
Bandit Queens is my of my all time favorites!!
It’s such a great book! Was pleased to have found it through the longlist last year. Wish it had made it onto the shortlist.
I am still excited for this list but as I am also reading the non fiction prize too I think it will be a longer term project to get through them this year. Great to hear your thoughts as always. Can’t wait to get to Soldier Sailor too.
Reading both lists is such a heroic effort 👏 You’ll have to tell me which non-fic ones are the best.
Definitely prioritise Soldier Sailor!
I feel kind of the same, although my reaction was more excited, then when the excitement died down a little bit nonplussed, now I’m back to coming around to some of them. I wouldn’t say I’m interested in all of them, but that’s probably good for my TBR. 😂
Ah yes, we’re all aboard the Women’s Prize Rollercoaster! Price of admission: clearing your TBR 😂 Maybe we need to divide and conquer the list between us.
@@benreadsgood as long as I can have the sci fi and books about murderers I am in! 😂
Hi Ben. It's been so much fun hearing everyone's reactions to the longlist. I dnf'd the book I was reading to immediately begin Chetna Maroo's Western Lane. I had wanted to read it every since Eric Karl Anderson raved about it. Had it not made the long list, I probably would have never made time for it. It's not on my 2024 TBR. But alas, I will finish it tonight, I believe. Its very interesting, despite how quiet it is. You are the first book-tuber I've seen react who actually was EAGER to read the sci-fi. I saw one who pretty much refused to read it. ha ha. Love that we all have different preferences.
I liked Western Lane quite a bit - I think it had some quiet power, and there's so much in what's not said. Hope you like it too.
And yes to sci-fi!!! I actually need a bit more of it in my reading diet.
Been so excited for this video!
Ah thank you, hope you enjoyed it! ♥️
Enjoyed hearing your thoughts on the list. I’m looking forward to seeing what makes the shortlist. There’s a few books I’m really interested in like And Then She Fell. I have to root for the Canadian! 😊💙
There’s definitely some great geographical diversity this year - nice to see Canada represented 🇨🇦
The ones I am heading to first are The Maiden and In Defence of the Act. I like that there's lots I hadn't heard of before but based on initial descriptions there's not many that I'm drawn to. I could of course change my mind!
Yeah I’m much the same: I like having surprises, but I don’t like things just because they’re surprises. They need to hook me in as well!
I'm currently reading Enter Ghost for BookTube Prize and I have Western Lane in my possession. I'll try the ones that my library has and wait for more reviews on some of the others.
Oh yeah, we have the same BookTube Prize ballot! I’m going to be rushing to the finish line I fear 😂 Enter Ghost is up next though.
I love this years list. So many new authors and I think that is exciting. I have read Soldier Sailor so far and it blew me away. I had an absolutely visceral response to it and I hope it wins. I really want to read A Trace of Sun, The Maiden, Enter Ghost and The Blue Beautiful world
I've definitely come around to it! Seems to have a lot to offer and there are at LEAST two more I'm super excited to get to.
Enter Ghost is highest on my list for sure. Some very interesting ones in the mix. Some I’d not heard of (and not guessed any correct, haha). Definitely agree that some of the choices seem “new” to this prize. And also very much agree with you on the Kate Grenville one plus The Maiden tbh.
Thank you for doing a reaction video on this list, Ben! 😍
Enter Ghost may be up next for me, although I have another short-ish novel I do want to squeeze in (The Borrowed Hills) so might turn to that first.
Lots of people raving about The Maiden, so I might have to eat my words there... 👀
@@benreadsgoodonly a good thing if it turns out good. And it must be special from making the list to be fair. But I really agree that the cover does it no favours. At least not in my book. I just would not pick it up on my own tbh. But hey, I’m glad ppl are enjoying it 😊
Thank you for this video! I have read only a few of these books, but I would like to read all of them eventually.. even though some of them might not be "the best" for me, I do like to support authors, I follow both the woman's and booker prizes the most out of all the many prizes there are.
I hope you and yours are doing great 👍
Thanks for watching! I am finding my fear of missing out is making me want to read them all now, so we'll see how many I can squeeze in... but definitely won't get to the full longlist. With you on wanting to support authors!
Like you, I only got one prediction (The Wren, the Wren) right, but I had already purchased 4 of the list (The Wren, the Wren, Nightbloom, Ordinary Human Failings and The Maiden) so I'm kind of counting those!
I've got library holds on Soldier, Sailor, 8 Lives..., Brotherless Night, Enter Ghost, River East, River West and Restless Dolly Maunder so am clearing the decks!
I thought Western Lane was good but not great and - ditto - 😅 The Bandit Queens was one of my favourite reads last year ❤📚
Thank you for another good video, Ben. I'm excited about the list this year, though disappointed by all the missing ones.
An interesting watch from a new (to me anyway) Booktube was Hope's video where she analysed all the predictions videos. Lots of suggestions there from you all.
Good work on the library holds! I’ve got a couple, but I think only one (Brotherless Night) looks like it’s going to happen anytime soon.
I haven’t seen that video, and can’t see I’ve been tagged! Do you have the channel name? 🙏
Enjoyable. I'm delighted to see Enter Ghost on the list. The Wren, The Wren varied in holding my interest depending on which character was featured. Impressed with varying styles.
Having a hard time getting several of the books in America
Thanks, Ben!🌷I’ve only read Enter Ghost and can definitely recommend it. I’m happy to see that you’re also interested in The Blue Beautiful World and look forward to hearing what you think of it. Restless Dolly Maunder, River East River West and And Then She Fell have also caught my attention, but I think I’ll keep an open mind and wait for some reviews before committing to any if them. It has happened before that, after listening to some reviews, I read totally different books than I thought I would😅📚
I just finished Defense of the Act today and it was an easy read considering how difficult the topic ans themes are. This book was the one I was least interested in reading which is why i decided to tackle it first and although I cried my eyes out, I think its a really worth while read.
Also, I just got Soldier Sailor in (shiiped from the UK to US) which I purchased a few weeks ago because you loved it so much! Looking forward to it!
Definitely keen on reading that one - interesting that it gave you such a strong emotional response! I tend to love books that can do that.
I really hope you love Solider Sailor - I think it's just phenomenal.
I had only heard of a couple on the list . I will wait until people start posting theirs thoughts to see what I might read .
A solid tactic!!! I'll definitely be reading a reviewing a few 😊
I read Western Lane last year. I finished Hangman yesterday. Still processing what I think of that one. I'm reading Enter Ghost now. I have holds on Brotherless Night, Nightbloom, The Wren The Wren and 8 Lives of a Century-Old Trickster at my library. Soldier Sailor isn't available here until June but I may end up ordering it from Blackwells. The other two I may want to check out are And Then She Fell and Ordinary Human Failings. If I read all of these, that will be 10 out of the 16.
10 is pretty good going! I would definitely recommend getting your hands on Soldier Sailor. It’s a banger!
Haha I have the opposite reaction. I was so disappointed by the Booker and so excited to see this list (but I definitely like having newer authors over well established). But also I guessed 4 and was familar with most of the others and there's always 2 or 3 that are complete suprises.
Alicia Elliot is well known author in Canada. She has a memoir and is very active in literary places.
That’s great! I’ve definitely come around 😊
Thanks for the Elliot intel - I’m really interested in that book so good to know she’s been well-received with other work!
Ooh I love the cover of Hangman, Im now hearing experimental and weird - I need it 😅
This is great to see. Charlie got me soldier sailor and the maiden. I have pre ordered nightbloom on paperback. I’m planning the kate Grenville on borrowbox. Other than that I may borrow a couple from Charlie. I am tempted to get the wren the wren. This has helped me think about what I will prioritise 😊
I hope you love Solider Sailor - it's such a brilliant novel! Definitely a good first pick as a gift from Charlie 😍
I know it’s not your go to kind of book, but I’m reading The Maiden and it’s really well written, I’m loving it.
Thank you for the recommendation! I do have a holiday coming up in so maybe it’s a good page turner for the plane ride… 👀
@@benreadsgoodThat’s exactly what this book is, Ben: a pageturner. Opening lines: “You are sentenced to beheading. God have mercy. Prepare yourself in prayer.” 😱
I’ve had the same problem getting my hands on some of these books. Not in the library (London and South East) not in my local Waterstones. I have Western Lane, Soldier Sailor and Restless Dolly Maunder to be getting on with and hopefully others I’m interested in will become available.
Librarians across the country must be inundated with requests right now! Hopefully they become more widely available soon 🙏
About 70% through The 8 Lives of a Hundred Year Old Trickster and am absolutely loving it!
So much love for Trickster in the comments. Starting to find myself wondering over!
The ones I'm interested in are River East River West, Soldier Sailor, and Enter Ghost. I did try to get some other that are on the list from the library, but they weren't listed. I'm going to wait to see which ones are short listed and what you (and others) think of them before hitting the bookshops. Wouldn't you love to know which books were on the whole list!
Hopefully by the time the shortlist rolls around, libraries will be a bit better stocked with them 🤞🏻
I would *love* to know the full list of books submitted, and to be a fly on the wall for the judges’ discussions.
Alicia Elliott’s essay collection A Mind Spread Out on the Ground is absolutely wonderful so I’m looking forward to a novel from her!
Ooh that’s great intel. Thanks for sharing, and sounds like it bodes well for the book!
Hard agree on all of this! Hadn’t heard of the vast majority and feels a little like that was the point more than anything, but excited nonetheless now I’ve processed haha. I picked up Soldier Sailor on your recommendation a few months ago! And have now cooped Enter Ghost and Ordinary Human Failings and gonna go from there. Definitely going to pick up In Defence of The Act as well but went to two bookshops and couldn’t find it. Some great covers (Trace of Sun, Maiden, and Grenville notwithstanding 😂). Have you read any of the non-fiction long list?
Also The Blue, Beautiful World sounds cool but needs reprinted immediately with a cover that isn’t giving first year graphic design project. 🫣
I did think the cover of The Blue, Beautiful World looked nice on screen, but in person... yeah not great 😂
And definitely with you in being excited now I've processed it. So glad you've already got Soldier Sailor - hope you love it as much as I did!
In Defence of the Act I ended up ordering direct from the publisher as they're so tiny. Pretty reasonable delivery tbh.
Not read any of the non-fiction longlist, but I do have Some People Need Killing on my Kindle!
I watched Simon and Louise unveil the longlist and was actually quite excited by the short descriptions/blurbs they gave. Later in the day, I watched Greg’s video and was pretty dismayed by the list. (It’s not Greg’s fault. 😉) I am down to only two books I am interested in without further input by other readers, and a decent number of books I just really have no interest in. I had heard about The Maiden on Twitter months ago as several authors I love were quite effusive in their praise of it. I have ordered it. I have The Blue, Beautiful World on hold at the library. (Please don’t let it be this year’s Pod!) But that’s it for me at this point. I don’t see anything on the list approaching the genius of Wandering Souls or Black Butterflies from last year’s list. There’s just very little I want to try. My anticipation has moved to the International Booker longlist that is coming soon.
Hopefully as more people read the books and (fingers crossed) like them, it'll bring you back round again! Hoping to read The Blue, Beautiful World soon, so I'm hoping that one is good. Brotherless Night is starting to emerge for me as one that could be really good too, especially now it's also been longlisted for the Carol Shields Prize.
Very excited for the IBP longlist tomorrow!
I love it when prize lists introduce readers to debut authors and books that would otherwise go unnoticed .
I’m delighted at the three Irish books , especially Ann Enright. I’ve already read
The Wren, The Wren
Ordinary Human Failings
I’m listening to Solider, Sailor as part of #irishreadathon. I think Enter Ghost will win. I’ve started listening to the audio.
☘️👋🍀📚📚📕📖🇮🇪
Definitely do enjoy a few surprises! I just wasn’t massively pulled in by a lot of the books that were new to me at first introduction. I have definitely come around to a few of them though!
Narrator: Jessica Regan is excellent so far with "Strange Sally Diamond."
I started "Lie to Me" (J.T. Ellison), but 60% in I'm hate reading it because I want to know the twist.
My fancy copy of "The Night Alphabet" is on deck.
Irish audiobook narrators really are great!
In response to expressing your interest in reading more climate related fiction, I thought I'd offer you the recommendation of The Light Pirate, by Lily Brooks-Dalton. Read it last year and loved it.
Another great vlog too, Ben. I always feels like I'm watching something on tv and not on youtube when I watch your vlogs.
Thanks for the recommendation! And also for the kind words. Although I think on TV their microphones don’t stop working 30 seconds into the video 😂
I’m more at peace with this list than I was initially, but I still don’t think it’s as great as it could have been. I’m reading Enter Ghost now and I’m enjoying it. Lots of these I already had, including Brotherless Night, Ordinary Human Failings, River East, maybe more. I immediately ordered And Then She Fell and In Defence of the Act, and The Maiden, all of which I’m eager to read. The rest I probably won’t bother with. If you love the Karen Lord, maybe I’ll give it a chance. The one I’m most looking forward to is Nighbloom.
Also - I Have Some Questions wasn’t my favorite, but The Great Believers is a masterpiece IMO. So don’t let this one put you off!
And I read Women Talking in two days. It was so lovely. I won’t soon forget any of those characters.
Sounds like you’re well set up for reading along with the prize for while!
I do also have The Great Believers, and very keen to get to it at some point (how many books do I say that about 🤪)
Out of nosiness I wish we knew what was submitted, but it's probably best we don't know 😂 I've just read soldier sailor and loved it. Currently listening to the audio of a Trace of Sun, which currently has all of two ratings on Goodreads! The only book I'd already read and loved on the list is Ordinary Human Failings
I keep telling people who enjoyed Penance to read OHF so hopefully the same applies to you 😂 it's very different but shares several themes
So pleased you loved Soldier Sailor. I really hope it has a shot at winning as it’s just brilliant.
I’m becoming more and more sold on Ordinary Human Failings. Acts of Desperation had really put me off but I’m coming around.
I think if I had The Wren The Wren on audio I would have gotten more from the poetry but less from the book overall. I found it a book that requires you to dwell a bit in places. I'm almost done with the Grenville book, and while it is a very nice read I'm a bit puzzled as to its presence on the longlist. I thought maybe it was a sort of lifetime achievement listing, but she's already won once so idk 🤷♀ I'm seriously tickled about the climate fiction/first contact book, and really pleased that they put Enter Ghost on the list. Soldier Sailor intimidates me. I think that could be a tough read for me, for personal reasons. Anyway, I'll be reading them all so reviews are coming. 😉
Yeah that makes sense to me - I kind of wish I got to linger over some of the lines. I'm not really into poetry so even on audio it's washing over me more than doing anything for me.
If you do read Solider Sailor, I hope you like it - but be kind to yourself and don't read it just because you think you have to!
@@benreadsgood Yes, I'm not good at DNFing, but I've promised myself that I will if Soldier Sailor starts giving me bad flashbacks.
I'm not a poetry person either 😂 I kept zoning out when reading them but I noticed that lines from them kept reappearing in the prose, so I tried to pay attention 😅
there is only one book on this list that i will not be reading whether its shortlisted or even wins, and that is Kate Grenvilles book. i started the secret river by her, hated it and dnfd about 100 pages in.
Ah, it's a shame that one doesn't appeal. But at least you get to narrow down your focus!
I generally find that blurbs lately do a disservice to the book. Ordinary Human Failings, for example, is not about the crime but rather about the family. I've read four already and have more on the way, but I'm also reading a few from the non fiction list plus the Stella prize in Australia, so I am a busy reader at the moment. FOMO gets me every year.
It's a shame when books are let down by bad blurbs, isn't it. That's why I find the bookish social media community so useful - I can always rely on lots of other people to help me know which books are worth slotting into that busy book backlog 😅
(I'm exactly the same btw... didn't plan on reading lots of this longlist but now I kind of want to!)
I have just read Ordinary Human Failings. To me it was 7 out of 10. It is more a family drama than a whodunit. The writing is okay. Soldier Sailor is next for me. You are sooooo funny with your comment ahout the young baby!
Knowing this, the list does seem quite family drama heavy! I really hope you enjoy Solider Sailor - it's a gem and I'm thrilled to see it on the list.
I have finished Soldier Sailor on audio and loved it.
The Wren The Wren is NEXT LEVEL! It is so well written!
You are underestimating The Maiden. I LOVED it! It is fast-moving and delicious!! A page turner and nail biter. My husband commented on how I was loudly saying "Oh nooooo!" and "Oh dear!" and laughing and cringing while reading The Maiden. I don't think the writing in The Maiden is on quite the same level as The Wren Thew Wren, but is is very enjoyable. The Maiden has a beautiful cover too!
So, so far for me the books I've read so far in order of quality and winning chances:
1. The Wren The Wren
2. Soldier Sailor
3. The Maiden
4. River East River West
5. Ordinary Human Failings
I am looking forward to Enter Ghost! (I am an English teacher and have been teaching Hamlet for years, so this one should be relatable for me.)
Thank you for you videos. I love your reviews.
So pleased to hear you enjoyed Solider Sailor! I also read The Wren The Wren recently and agree that the writing was very good. Will be sharing my review in the next few weeks 😊
And thanks for the nudge on The Maiden. It's fun when a book provokes a reaction other people notice 😅 I don't have tonnes of time before the longlist, but perhaps if it's shortlisted it will move up my list.
Dnf'd Restless Dolly Maunder and Western lane, so i feel like I've not started well at all. I really wouldn't recommend the former, I'm not sure what the story was trying to say.
I do have that one waiting for me at the library, so I might still give it a go... but yeah hearing this a lot 👀
I've only followed the prize for a few years now and every year since then the list is mostly made up of titles nobody heard about, so I guess that's what I expect now! Last year I was so disappointed (wasn't the strongest list) and so this year I didn't want to be too invested. But I had a similar reaction to yours - some of the books at first glance (cover / blurb) don't sound very appealing or even literary, but I like that they made a quirky diverse list! I predicted 8 lives, but it was a wild card! I ordered it because it sounded like a hoot!
Yeah I've definitely warmed up to it, and I think in the light of the International Booker list it doesn't seem so bad after all 😂 Good call on 8 Lives - hope you enjoy it!
I feel similar to you. There are about 4 I'm drawn to. A lot of the others just don't appeal at all!
On the bright side, at least it leaves room on the TBR for stuff you've been meaning to get to!
@@benreadsgood you'd think that... but I appear to have acquired a few from the list anyway... 😅
Always the way! 😂
I’ve read solider sailer 8 lives of a trickster the maiden started blue beautiful world
Not all that excited with the Women's Prize longlist either this year. I think we're seeing a new trend of book prizes choosing to become "kingmakers" (or "queenmakers") with anointing the newest, shiniest things, and veteran writers be damned. It seems like there should be a better balance or something? No Zadie Smith? Sandra Newman? Jesmyn Ward? Ann Patchett? I don't feel the same disgust that I did with the Booker last year, which fully botched its mandate when Brit Booktube made countless excuses for its "subjective" choices. Decisions have consequences, so propping up mediocrity like Pearl and How to Build a Boat at the expense of Demon Copperhead is just wrong! It's willful contrarianism and agenda-setting. Take that to its logical conclusion and actually have those titles compete for the win. Say that shit with your chest, you know? But instead, we get a shortlist with more Pauls than women. It's gross. Anyway, hope there's a masterpiece or two discovered with this longlist. Gutsy inclusion of Enter Ghost intrigues me. (Are we allowed to call anything related to the Women's Prize "ballsy" lol?) I can picture a potential coronation for Anne Enright happening.
Yeah I think it's all about balance. If there are overlooked authors and books that are truly great, I'm all for it! But I'm not keen on dispensing with authors just because they already have a profile. I want those new books to sit alongside the already-critically-acclaimed stuff. But hey I could be totally wrong!
My only bone to pick with you is that Pearl is so good! 😅 I was so pleased to discover that one through the Booker. But yeah, How to Build a Boat... 🥴
Ordinary Human Failings is not true crime at all, the blurb is somewhat misleading in that respect. If anyone's expecting like a crime thriller, or police procedural type thing, you'll be disappointed.
Thanks for the clarification! I’m not a big reader of procedurals so not being that is all good. For some reason I thought it might interrogate the themes of true crime, people getting weirdly obsessed with crimes, the ethics of that, etc.
@@benreadsgood It's set in the 90s so it kind of looks at the tabloid culture of that time, but even then its only background. It basically just tells the back story of this Irish family, and the title of the book reflects what's revealed there. I've seen such high praise for this book that I was expecting a lot more than what it is. It's not that it's bad, I think it just isn't what everyone thinks it is before they've read it, if that makes sense.
Makes total sense, thank you! Still sounds quite interesting to me 😊
I’m disappointed in the fact that over half the books are about only 2 subjects, motherhood and immigration, so that’s not diverse and putting so many books on the list about motherhood actually feels so sexist. Other than that I’m sick of such depressing books on book prize long lists, can’t we have some fun or experimental books? I like the fact there are lots of debut authors though! I loved The Maiden, dnf’d western lane a while ago and dnf’d The wren just yesterday due to the author using the r word and animal cruelty, big no nos. There is 3 others I will try but I’m not too enthusiastic. Rant over 😂
That's a good point - the thematic narrowness of the list hadn't really occurred to me!
Love the Britney Broski thumbnail 😅
I had the same reaction as you, slightly disappointed to start, took a closer look and there’s about three I was curious enough to request from the library
Broski is an inspiration!
And yeah it’s fun that the list has more to offer than seems on first glance. Excited to see everyone’s reactions.
I DNF’d Soldier Sailor - first one I picked up from the list and just didn’t enjoy it.
Noooo that's my fave! 😭 Fair enough though - hopefully the list is diverse enough that another one takes your fancy.
I know! I’m going to give it another go - maybe it was my mindset at the time 😊
@@benreadsgoodHey Ben you’ve never steered me wrong yet so I gave Soldier Sailor another go - the paper copy. I was blown away - obviously wasn’t in the right mindset first time around. Hovering over a 5 star rating. Such a powerful book - I just wanted to give my Mam a huge hug but sadly she’s overseas. Thank you.
I'm so thrilled to hear this. It is such a wonderful, powerful (and funny!) book.
Why should there be a women’s prize? Is there a men’s prize? Is there a gay prize, a trans prize,a black prize or a woke prize? Ludicrous and demeaning.
You could have spent 5 minutes finding out about the origins of the prize instead of writing this stupid comment.
@@benreadsgood You’re right, Ben. I should have left my cynicism behind and found out more before jumping to conclusions. Next time I won’t just go by the thumbnail and actually read the post.
That’s very gracious of you - I appreciate it.
Came for the (epic) thumbnail, stayed for the (crackin) content.
Haha thank you - I had fun putting that thumbnail together!!!
When they announced Soldier Sailor I immediately thought of you . I’ve read none of these 😳, but 4 ( including the previously mentioned) are en route and several others on the TBR. 📕 🪱 💚
I am very glad to be associated with Soldier Sailor 😂 Hope you enjoy it, and find some others you like!
Strangely…I was also disappointed by this list 🫤
Just gotta work through those stages of grief 😅 I’m out the other side and pretty happy with it now!