I hate myself... So I read the Booker longlist!
Вставка
- Опубліковано 16 вер 2024
- Join My Commie Patreon - / gunpowderfictionandplot
Get 2 months free when you sign up to Scirbd - www.scribd.com...
Instagram - / gunpowder.fiction.plot
Get in touch Email - gunpowder.fiction.and.plot@gmail.com
Voxer - scottgunpowderfictionandplot
Buy me a KoFi - ko-fi.com/gunp...
#booktube #gunpowderfictionplot
😂 I kept having to pause my TV and run to the other room to repeat the zingers to hubby: not that I could do them justice, because the accent and cadence really adds to the delivery. I've said before, it feels like Australia is in a golden age of comedy, and everybody benefits 💛
I did get in a joke of my own, don't know if it translates unless you've heard of Shark Tank, but here goes: after running to hubby to repeat several hilarious zingers, I told him that Scott hadn't been posting for a while while his computer was being repaired, and he must have used that time to fill his tank. His Snark Tank. 😂
But seriously, Scott, I love your recommendations, and love the way you always approach your reviews from the position of "what basics -- plot, character, writing, theme, etc. -- does this book do well (or not)?" And you always invite the readers (viewers) to reflect and learn about themselves, and to grow our critical faculties: "what kind of reader are you?" I love the laughs, but am nourished by the grounded focus of these videos.
P.S. I always enjoy when Scott picks out books (and other things!) to recommend to so many kinds of readers. It feels weird havng a minority opinion, so it's encouraging that Scott reminds us "nobody's right and nobody's wrong" when it comes to our reading perspectives.
I read Stoner and Gilead, and while I could appreciate their merit, they didn't vibe as highly with me. Also read There There, which was fine, but to me it didn't rate higher than other books at the time, which its multiple awards seemed to promise.
Listening to a British woman narrate Orbital on a slightly sped up audiobook made it easier for me see all the good in that book that is passing some readers by. She really connects with her themes.
Lastly, I always appreciate reviews that make me look forward to reading a book (Creation Lake). Thank you Scott!
This is my favourite comment! Thank you so much... I do know what Shark Tank is. 😊
I’m here for the dry humor and sarcasm. The books are just a bonus.
'Empty calories' is the definitive description of the Booker.
Stone Yard Devotional is my favourite along with James. As for the mice I thought that was a great way of illustrating how you can try to escape the chaos and attachments of life by devoting yourself to spirituality, purity and being good but nature may have other plans - or, wherever you go there you are with all your unresolved or unresolvable issues. The perceived mess, dirt, grime, disease of vermin, which is just nature trying to survive and thrive, that threatens to spoil one’s longed for peace - then there was the whole killing aspect along with the growing smell and, after all that, its sudden disappearance. What can and can’t we control? Loved it!
Thank you. I really like that interpretation, you've improved my experience of the novel, I only wish she picked frogs or bunnies instead. 😉
I like your honesty. It was enjoyable to listen about the books and i appreciate you don't reveal too much about the plots but still describe a book enough to help someone decide whether they want to read it. Greetings from Poland 😊❤
Thank you. 😊
I think I actually agree with you in regard to the books on the list I have read with one or two exceptions.
Wandering Stars: I really liked it, but then I had already read There, There so I can’t say how it would read for someone who hadn’t.
Orbital: I almost completely disagree. I thought the ideas were tired, the prose was trying too hard, and Harvey was too committed to including all her research.
James: Easily the best book here (still waiting for my library hold on The Safe Keep). We got different things from it but agree about it.
Wild Houses: I thought the girlfriend character saved it a little, but otherwise agree.
Enlightenment: I agree. I almost DNF’d but continued so I could see how the comet story turned out.
Held: I like it, but I’m only half way through. This is probably the book on the list that exemplifies the differences in our taste the most.
Still hoping to read The Safe Keep and Head Shot.
As always I thoroughly enjoyed your reviews.
I'm not surprised we don't agree on Held. I'm most curious to hear what you think of Headshot, I know you identify as a character reader, so should enjoy this one, but there's a world of difference between you liking and loving a book and why.
I am about to make Costco frozen ginger beef. A part of me wants my effort eviscerated by Scott, and the other part knows I will spontaneously wither and never touch food again.
I’m one of the people who gave Orbital 1 star and I will be livid if it wins the Prize 😂
4.5 stars, can't hardly believe it, but the spreadsheet scoring method I'm trying this year doesn't lie. "Them's what makes horse races," people's varied opinions.
I think the book benefits either way, as its multiple nominations have kept it in the conversation all year, to the point where I finally got around to reading (listening to) it. Without all the conversation I probably wouldn't have picked it up, or if I did it would be like other books I rated highly a few years ago and now can't even remember reading.
Such a fantastic video, thank you for sharing your reading experiences! 😂
So crazy how there is such a drastic range of quality from the long list. You would think that even books that aren't to everyone's taste are at least executed well, but it seems there are some that are just devoid of merit and that's so sad because there were so many books on everyone's prediction lists that could have taken those spots
Randomly clicked on this video and 15 minutes in I’m predicting I’m gonna be binge-watching your other reviews soon. So fun! 😄"I still have some stinkers to discuss" is comedy gold! I really appreciate your take on literature because the typical appraisal of non-entertaining books with lengthy wording but an oh so underlying poetic meaning is quiet frankly pretty tiring. All the best from Germany!
Thank you for your positive review of Creation Lake. I love novels that send me down the rabbit hole of looking up events, ideas, locations, etc., and this novel sent me there.
It was a real rabbit warren of a novel, lots of holes.
I think you put your finger on what I liked about it too. I knew it wasn’t a book I hated, but I couldn’t articulate what I liked.
I read James. My first Everett and I have never read Twain. I am a Brit after all. Would I recommend? Absolutely. Waiting to read the Richard Powers novel, not reviewed here because stupidly we can't get hold of it yet.
One thing we can thank the Booker judges for is giving you the opportunity to make this video. You suffer and we reap the reward 😊
I haven't read most of the list and won't but I'd be happy to see James and Orbital on the shortlist as I got pleasure from both.
Good to see you back, Scott! I'm on book number 11 at the moment, and so far I've found them very middling (other than the standout James). Every year I look forward to finding a new author or book that wows me, but this year that hasn't happened. I can't even put together a shortlist of 6. I'm thinking James, Orbital and My Friends will make it.
I'm looking forward to your names-from-a-hat Booker longlist video. I probably will have more chances of reading all of them, too. I've had a very low tolerance for the books picked this year and have only managed to complete two. I'm interested to know which books you think *are* the best of the year, though. : )
"Marilynne Robinson-sized hole" LOL I love that line! Great reviews and a huge undertaking - thank you for your service on behalf of us Booker Sidelines Fans!
I’ll stand up forWild Houses ( and I’ve read Close To Home). I think it’s a great debut and it says a lot about how drugs have infiltrated rural Ireland, North and South. The female characters are the heroines.
I read his first collection about a decade ago and thought it was excellent. It's odd to think to see his writing described as pulp, unless he's changed massively as a writer
I totally agree with you on "Wandering Stars"! I wanted more about each of the stories... Your review has convinced me to return "Enlightenment" to the library unread...but I already wasn't that interested. I, too, loved "James" and "The Safekeep". I've read "My Friends" as well. I'm not sure which ones of the ones left I should read... maybe "Creation Lake"... Thanks for your insights!
If you like this I don't know what to recommend. Read the first thing you come across, book or no, you'll be equally entertained. 😂😅
Almost as funny as…try a sensory deprivation tank! He is bang on.
@@msrichelle88I was going to leave that comment, but you beat me to it 😂
I'm a fan. I tend to be a rather serious person and need to laugh. Thank you.
My thoughts:
Wandering Stars - currently reading, about 25% in. So far I like it. I've also recently re-read There There just before so it's pretty fresh for me.
Wild Houses - I've started this one and am about 20% in. It's decent so far but I don't see this in the shortlist so I'm going to pause it for now due to time constraints. I will either finish it if it gets into the shortlist or if I have time before the winner is announced. It's an ok read so I do plan to finish it at some point.
James - This is the one to beat. Frankly, I don't know how any of the other books can get past this Behemoth. It is so damn good.
The Safekeep - This one is my second fave. I love the progression of the story and although I guessed what was happening pretty early on, it was still a wonderful read.
Held - My 3rd place so far. The first 'story' was weird and confusing. I considered DNFing but I pushed through and I'm so glad I did. I absolutely loved the rest of the 'stories'. They were sad and moving at the same time.
Orbital, Enlightenment and Claire's Messud's book - I hated all 3 of these. So extremely boring, IMO. I don't mind a slow paced read but these books were positively glacial. Messud's book in particular felt like a vanity project and that made it extra grating. I also DNF'd Enlightenment! I made it about 1/3 through. I would have DNF'd Orbital but it was so short that I figured I might as well finish it.
Good to know that I do need to read my copy of there there before even attempting wandering stars. Your brutal review of Held is BRUTAL and it made me laugh, especially the comparison to Hamnet and the Ondaatje novel. It sounds like there are quite a few dunces on the list! And I have to admit, the booker longlist and me don't get along on the best of years, but this list this year really doesn't inspire me at all. I dnfed the essex serpent so I will not be trying enlightenment at all. 'Someone who is worse at punctuation as me and is also a successful author' 😅 Just because of how many people love James, I hope it wins. (I haven't read it though). I am tempted to read the safe keep just because set in the Netherlands, Dutch author... My friends sounds like a good contender as well! It's one of the ones I have seen be quite popular on the list as well. Headshot is one of the ones someone at work has been really recommending everywhere, especially for character driven readers like me. So I think I am going to try and pick up this one!
I enjoyed hearing your opinions. Of all the books you talked about, I'm interested in picking up Orbit.
My favourite book so far this year is the Mars House by Natasha Pulley which is her first foray into SciFi but really the book reads as an exploration of society and i could write an essay on each topic she delves into from politics, gender, refugees, and many more. It reminded me of the way you described Orbit although the Mars House is heavy on the plot and perhaps not so much on the character development.
Thank you for your service 😂 I'm tapping out after 5 of these books, so let's see if I've read any of the shortlist 👀
I’m 10 minutes in and lamenting that I haven’t seen your videos before! Subscribed!
Stoneyard Devotional -I've been thinking that the mice plague could be a metaphor for something that creeps in and then becomes overwhelming, but maybe I'm completely wrong. I've been meaning to listen to some of Charlotte's interviews and see if there's anything to my theory.
I'm not phased by mice, I used to have them as pets as a kid. We have native rats that live outside and we sometimes see outside at night, which is ok by me but if they come into the house and eat the baits then that's too bad for them. A plague is a whole different story, and is terribly disruptive. It is completely overwhelming, totally frustrating, and possibly could damage your health if not your sanity, not something anyone would want to experience.
Great reviews as always - your breakdown of the Booker books is an annual highlight! All of the different opinions on Orbital are making me curious about it. I suspect it may bore me, but I loved The Remains of the Day so maybe not! Other than that I’m most interested in James but I was before it made this list. And also The Safe Keep. M
Now you can read every book in the nytimes best of the century.
Haha, that's going to be a long video... But there's plenty of fodder in those 100 for me to roast.
You make me feel so seen!!! I needed more fire in my belly and so many of these have felt like damp squibs. I have obviously been having a hard time with reading but this longlist is honestly the worst I have ever encountered EVER!! 🧂🧂🧂
I will try The Safe Keep. James for the win🤞🤞🤞Thank you for sharing your thoughts on these Scott.
Love your reviews, Scott!!!
Loved this. Hilarious. Brutal honesty is cool man. Whether good or bad. Thanks.
Your comment about the Davinci Code made me snort 😂
You already know our tastes diverge. I adored Held in audio format and have every intention of rereading it in print soon. You CAN successfully squeeze 4 generations into 240 pages if you are Anne Michaels. And I loved the character portrayals in Wild Houses, including the cranky old dog.
As to the unnamed book, I doubt you are missing anything. I thought Bewilderment was okay but more of a reading group read because its strength is in the ideas. He really hammers home his message. I don’t intend to pick up the new one.
Not only is "the book that shall not be named" not yet published, but Stone Yard Devotional is not available in the US. Very frustrating.
I have read both James and the Sellout. Other than the satire and social commentary aspects of both books, they’re very different. Sellout is primarily a satire and prose novel, whereas James is more plot driven. In some ways, I found the dialogue between characters in James similar to Cormac McCarthy’s: sparse yet (or as a result?) powerful.
So many opinions in one video! This may be my favourite video of yours ever. I have only read 5 books so far, and have Stone Yard Devotional lined up next (is the mouse plague just timing? NSW had a huge mouse plague early on in Covid)
We disagree most on The Safe Keep. I will be sorely disappointed if it makes the short list.
I'm sure James will be there. I'm hoping for Orbital to join it. And Wild Houses ( I listened to it on audio and just loved it, but I do agree I don't feel it to be overly Bookery).
I'm 80% of the way through Held, and really liking the poetic prose, but am finding it a bit confusing with the jump to Estonia, I'm sure we'll learn who these characters are but I'm feeling that I should draw up a family tree. I'm reading it as an e-book from my library, a form I'm not really used to, and find it constraining that I can't flip back and forth. Although I think I know who the photographer in the forest is (a real photographer from history), and am a bit excited about that. However not liking the dream sequences in italics. So not quite perfect, but mostly lovely.
I really enjoyed this video. The worse the Booker, the better the Booktube :D
So far I've only read James (prior to the announcement) and The Safekeep. I liked them both but James is far above the other one. I plan on to read Creation Lake, My Friends and Orbital, maybe Headshot, Wandering Stars (because I read There There) and the unpublished one. Others on the longlist just don't appeal to me at all.
Thank you for your review of Enlightenment! I had to put it down halfway through and eventually finished it… I guess I thought they’d be a pay off since it’s longlist for the Booker. Big fat nope on that end. Read like a Victorian novel
It’s nice to see that someone is worse at punctuation than me and still a successful author…💀
I just finished my last Booker book and like you I’m a bit flummoxed at some of the selections. It looks like…boring, boring, boring, pretentious, boring, boring, mildly interesting, boring, finally one good book, oh a second good book, boring. 😅
Read anything. It’s just as good. 😅
You are coming with the zingers in this video.
I agree that James is the front runner. For me, it was heads and shoulders above the rest.
Overwhelmingly, I agree with your assessment of this being a bad shortlist.
I am such a Safekeep fan girl. I hope it wins. I’m in awe of the author writing a book in a language that’s not her native tongue and doing it so well. Simply a stunning, intelligent novel.
I am so torn about Creation Lake. Did I enjoy my time with it? Absolutely. Would I pick up another book about this spy? Hell yes. I’d pre-order the next five installments. Wouldn’t it be cool if she had a different name in all of them? 🤔 But I don’t know …. Could have been shorter. And …. Not that I’m ever surprised when we are interested in the same things, but I googled the Cagots too.
I’ll read James. Eventually. Begrudgingly.
The rest, I’m not sure I will. Life’s too short.
Thanks for your insights, buddy. Always appreciate you.
I have written this elsewhere, but the mouse plague brings in the climate change theme and symbolises life, death and the all the messy bits between. It adds to the growing sense of frustration and unease that culminates in the funeral and going away.
You definitely have focus and a point of view!
MY PREFERRED SHORTLIST:
1. My Friebds
2. James
3. The Safe Keep
4. Held
5. Wandering Stars
6. Creation Lake OR Playground
MY PREDICTION SHORTLIST
same as above .. weird, right?
PREDICTED WINNER
My Friends , Hisham Matar
My Friends is my favorite too with Wandering Stars and James .
You are my new favourite book-tuber. Now could you please read and review all the books for the Giller Prize?
Thanks for your brilliant video. I've only read 4 so far - Orbital, Enlightenment, The Safe Keep, My Friends - and have started Creation Lake. I didn't hate Enlightenment as much as you but did find it ultimately boring, and I really didn't like Orbital either - it felt like earth observed by a stoned philosophy student. Really liked The Safe Keep and think My Friends is a likely winner. I haven't read James yet as i really don't want to read Huck Finn and think it also has the same sequel issues as Wandering Stars. Mark Twain isn't really canon in the UK in the same way he is in the US. But mainly thank you for justifying me not reading all the ones that sound painfully dull, particularly The long boring history and Held.
At least I read the same books as you and felt the same about these books. I dnf’d the Messud and Perry books. This is only my second reading the long list and I’m glad it’s not the first time or I wouldn’t have read the long list next year. I’ve still got Creation Lake and Playground to read. I was worried at one time if there would be enough decent books for a good short list.
I just think I’ll go back to reading Australian books that I’ve been enjoying. I had no idea that there are so many good books by Australian authors.
Last year's longlist was much better! The choice of judges really does completely change the books and the quality of the list.
Love your reviews even when I disagree.
Orbital - overall terrible, minor bits ok.
James and My Friends are great.
Wild Houses ok but not Booker worthy.
Enlightenment, I'm part way through and having fun with it.
Safe Keep, quite good.
Stoneyard Devotional, good.
Held for the win 😂😂😂
Still have the others on the list to read.
I have cackled through this video!
I’m about halfway through Creation Lake and not sure how I feel about it yet. I can see how Bruno’s ideas about life and humanity could be the kind of fringe nutjob stuff that ends up inspiring fanaticism.
I really enjoyed Bruno's ideas, although I enjoy anything critical of capitalism. I think they're presented as nuts because of our narrator.
Finished Creation Lake over the weekend. Not sure how I fe el about it yet - the research sometimes got in the way particularly the discussion on Polynesian voyaging. I've only read six but none of them surpass James and My Friends as my favourites.
ETA: Love your description of Orbital. I also found it boring - Earth is beautiful. Yeah, no kidding mate
I am trying to decide what the mice were about, the positive being I know have some hints & tips if mice ever infiltrate my space. I have been waiting for Creation Lake to be published, I think it’s the most Ange book. I also want to read Wild Houses, although wasn’t sure how it fit on the long list. I loved Orbital, because I needed a quiet read. I still think James for the win. I have only read 5 of the 13 so far. I was planning on reading the full long list, but my enthusiasm has been dwindling.
Ange wants to read the spy book, now there's a shock. 😜
I've read a couple of posts suggesting the mice are about things outside of our control and how you can't run away from the world completely.
It can get quite hard to keep going with this longlist, I don't recommend it.
@@GunpowderFictionPlot Ohh that’s an interesting thought about the nice.
in headshot, another theme is the girls are the powerful ones bit the old white men have the power. the girls care the men are waiting to go to the bar.
Thanks for the saving me from reading some boring titles. I'm keen to read Safekeep, Orbital, Headshot. I alread read James (my least favourite Everrett) but I won't mind if it wins becasue he's a talented, unique writer. I also liked very much My Friends and Stone Yard Devotional was better than I anticipated, but I wouldn't call it Booker Prize worthy.
headshot was powerful and terrific.
headshot is terrific
I love watching you hate on books, but you must be exhausted!
Both my favourite and my least favourite book of the year might be on this list (but the year is still young).
I LOVED Stone Yard Devotional. It might end up being my favourite book of the year. I just related so much to the narrator personally. There were a few passages where the narrator channels her inner teenage edgelord philosopher that made me cringe - but Sister Simone calls her out on her sneering and her weak metaphors, so I think it's done on purpose. It is such a nuanced portrayal of neurodivergence and nonconformity, and grief, and the fallibility of memory, and how much we are part of the world even if we are trying to escape... exactly the kind of 'old people fiction' I mentioned at our last book club.
I have only met 2 other people who didn't like James, but I could write an essay about everything I don't like about it from the perspective of a linguist and disability activist.
P.S. re: the mice in SYD:
I thought the plague of mice was vital to the story. In the beginning, the narrator is condescending about the nuns singing hymns about safe borders and battles when the nuns themselves are so isolated from the world. The narrator arrives burnt out from her own charity work, seeking to escape. She is then contrasted with her famous friend who is travelling to change the world, while the narrator is feeding chickens. I think the plague is to show that we can drown in disaster (or mice) anywhere and that you can't escape the interconnectedness of the world, but also that life on a smaller scale still matters. Not revolutionary insights, but I read to experience new variations on universal themes. Luckily, I've never experienced a mice plague.
I dnf the english patient early on and happy to do it
Many reviewers seem really disappointed with most of the books on this year's longlist.
Oh my! You obviously spent too long unable to take the piss to novels! It all came out in this review! 🤣🤣 My favorite was your review of Enlightenment.
Orbital gave me a lovely reading experience, but no plot. I loved Enlightenment ( but reminded me of Possession By Byatt ). I read it after the absolute slog ( who is Barbara ? ) of the strange uneventful history. I have read so many better books this year though .
I’m with you, what were those mice all about!
Like you I have read the entire longlist and I approve of you not mentioning the one none of us can read, what are the publishers playing at? I try and read the longlist every year and yes usually there are a couple I don’t like but normally there are more I love. I too have great difficulty picking out six for the shortlist, they are just not good!
@@keithhicks9518i would ask who are the judges/the ones who chosen the longlist?!
I'm a fan of the Booker although I prefer the International prize.
I still plan to read My Friends, because I read another book by Matar which I really liked. I might also give Orbital a go and I like what I hear about James, but I have no interest in a re-retelling of Huckleberry Finn. I bailed on The Safekeep, because it was much too predictable for me. I agree with you, this seems to be quite a mediocre list.
I never read the international because it's quite expensive and clashes with the Women's Prize... But I always wish I did, translated books are so much more diverse in their style.
I recommend giving Orbital a 3-5 page trial. You'll know if you're going to like it after that.
Lol I've only finished six of them 😄
Lopez Cynthia Moore Barbara Martin Carol
I read James first, and though I thought it was a good book, I wasn't blown away by it. Then I listened to the two books that were already available in my audiobook subscription: Enlightenment and This Strange Eventful History. Yeah.
I really, really disliked both of them. The first one is so bad, and the second so boring. I don't like plot heavy books. I'm more interested in good and deep character descriptions. These two had neither a good plot nor interesting and deep characters.
So I just hit a wall with this longlist. I'm on the waiting list for two of the titles on Libby. For the others I would need to buy them, and I don't know if I'm inspired to do so. Disappointing.
I disagree about The Safekeep and its plot; the plot is a mess. It depends on lame plot devices, plot twists that don't make sense, and inconsistent character psychology. The idea, theme, basic setup, and first third of the novel are good, but it's the author's lack of control over the plot and the reliance on melodrama that make this novel a failure to me. I have to admit that I prefer a book that tries and fails over books like Wild Houses, where the plot is just pedestrian. Given that example and the many other nominees who have minimal or no plot, it makes one feel that The Safekeep has a lot of plot, but it's not good plot, in my opinion.
My personal favorites from the 8 ones I read are James, My Friends and Stone Yard Devotional.
Stone Yard Devotional and mice: I don't think anything in a book needs to be decoded. To me, it was an example where something that happens in the world (the external) reflects the inner state of the protagonist (the internal) in the fashion of writers like J.G. Ballard and his internal landscapes, and what he calls "inner space."
Without even reading it, I think the book you aren't mentioning might be shortlisted because its author seems to always be in high regard with the literary prizes jury. I'm yet to finish at least one book of his, though.
I think I agree with you. His last novel was shortlisted before it was released too.
Don’t worry, playground sucked
📖 🪱 💚