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Original poster

Anyone else doing Booker Shortlist this year?

96 replies

NotQuiteCockney · 08/10/2006 14:24

I don't know if DH has remembered to get me the shortlist for my birthday, or whether I'll have to sort it out myself, but is anyone else doing the shortlist again? I (finally) finished the 2005 list, and am somewhat eager to start the 2006 one ... I haven't read anything by any of the authors before, which is a nice change ...

OP posts:
bluemoo · 08/10/2006 14:55

Never done it - but what a great idea! I usually end up reading 2 or 3 of them anyway, so might try it this year. Its a good way to help fill up my mat leave and keep my brain going while ds is bfing anyway.

hoxtonchick · 08/10/2006 15:03

just ordered it from the book people. can't wait.

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 08/10/2006 15:06

As HC points out, Book People do the set, all six books for cheap - £30 this year.

OP posts:
roisin · 08/10/2006 17:34

Book People link if anyone wants it.

marymillington · 08/10/2006 17:38

what a brilliant idea, was wondering what to read next

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 27/10/2006 18:10

Ok, I finally got mine, but haven't started reading them. Has anyone else started?

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Bink · 28/10/2006 09:13

Yep, have done Night Watch ... felt that she puts rather more heartfelt writing into the sex bits than the rest of it, which felt a weeny bit journeyman expository - competent & all that, but not David Mitchell.

Am doing Carry Me Down which is jolly odd I think. It may have a point to its oddness, but I haven't got there yet. Not surprised it was a critical success but I'd not seen any mainstream reviews.

Not at all fussy about books, me

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 28/10/2006 11:50

Ok, I will probably start Night Watch soon. Am quite under the weather so really just feeling like reading rubbish, really...

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skanger · 28/10/2006 12:12

I have The inheritance of loss by Kiran Desai-but havent begun to read it yet

Gillian76 · 28/10/2006 12:40

probably a dim question but what is the man booker prize?

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 28/10/2006 12:41

Same thing. I think Man is some insurance company sponsoring it or something?

OP posts:
Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 28/10/2006 12:41

Ah, from the website: "Man Group plc is a leading global provider of alternative investment products and solutions as well as one of the world's largest futures brokers."

Obviously their advertising effort of sponsoring the prize is working wonders.

OP posts:
Gillian76 · 28/10/2006 12:42

Oh I see. I was reading "Never Let me Go" and it says the same thing. Was a bit confused

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 28/10/2006 12:43

"Never Let Me Go" is from last year's Booker Prize. Do keep up! ;-)

Seriously, I do the Booker shortlist every year - book people sell the whole lot for £30, six books, and it makes me feel cultured ...

OP posts:
Gillian76 · 28/10/2006 12:49

I did know that. Was just asking about the prize name...

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 28/10/2006 12:51

Sorry, really not meant to be snippy, am groggy and weird.

OP posts:
Gillian76 · 28/10/2006 12:59

No offence taken

skanger · 28/10/2006 14:08

the problem I have is not with kids trick or treating-but teens intent on vandalism anddestruction

skanger · 28/10/2006 14:09

oops really sorry-posted on wrong thread

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 31/10/2006 08:42

Hmm, am a quarter of the way through Night Watch. Not really drawn in. The characters all seem to have the same voice, really. And to be the same person ... not that impressed ...

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hoxtonchick · 31/10/2006 09:07

finished inheritance of loss last night. i liked it, but didn't love it. just started carry me down which has grabbed me quite quickly, nice & easy to read. oh, & i started with mother's milk which i also enjoyed though it was a bit bonkers....

Marina · 31/10/2006 09:12

I am a lone voice of real love for The Night Watch, clearly! I used to work in a library that people like Sarah Waters and Peter Ackroyd use for their research so am a pushover for erudite London history, however perfunctory the characterisation or over-worked the sex.
Finding it a bit hard to work up much enthusiasm for most of the rest of the list tbh, but will place my order (Night Watch was from the library).
My standout discovery over the past few years has been the original voice of Gerard Woodward (I'll Go to Bed at Noon, nominated, and August, the first of the series and not nominated but just as striking).

Marina · 31/10/2006 09:14

I am sort of skirting round Mother's Milk hoxty. He doesn't sound very qualified to dissect the mother-child relationship (Marina's raft of prejudices re male toff writers understanding female psychology drifts serenely into view )
So it is good then? He was my WTF Candidate this year I have to say...

hoxtonchick · 31/10/2006 09:38

well i enjoyed reading it marina, but the father is a fairly vile character. liked the very articulate baby though!

Bink · 31/10/2006 09:40

Started Mother's Milk yesterday (because somehow I left my copy of Carry Me Down somewhere, which is only vaguely annoying) - and really enjoying it so far - I think he does humour-by-dialogue REALLY well - ghastly maternity nurse says "I had a mother once, an Arab lady actually, nice enough, called me at home [etc etc]" and there's a scene where people happily lazing about hear a "caring Irish voice" and their hearts sink.

Though nobody has ever had a five year old as precocious as the boy, have they? Anyway, only just started & like it best so far.

Dh says St Aubyn is generally quite clever & funny. Anyone know his other things?

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