Women's Prize for Fiction long list

[Tiddlywinkly]

Apologies if I missed it, but I can't see a thread on this year's recently announced long list.

Just wondered what anyone thought and if anyone's read some books from list or are planning to?

I've had my eye on Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver and will buy it in paperback when it comes out. I've also pre ordered The Dog of the North by Elizabeth McKenzie on Audible.

womensprizeforfiction.co.uk/features/features/news/announcing-the-2023-womens-prize-longlist

Both of those are good so you're in for a treat.

Just finished Demon Copperhead and absolutely loved it!

Just spotted Children of Paradise is now 99p for kindle on Amazon so I'm going to take a punt on that.

Another vote for Demon Copperhead, and also Stone Blind is excellent.

I might look at Children of Paradise whilst it’s on offer!

I’ve been hesitating on Demon Copperhead because I didn’t like Kingsolver’s last two books, although I loved her earlier work, particularly the Lacuna and Prodigal Summer. Is this one one more like those?

Have only read Barbara Kingsolver's Poisonwood Bible before Demon Copperfield, thought they were both brilliant, books that stay with you long after you've finished them.

Demon Copperhead, not Copperfield, a modern reworking of David Copperfield, mixed them up.

What? Women don't write well enough to compete against men?

@MsAmerica did you see what happened at the Brit awards with a mixed category??

OP I have read and loved

Demon Copperhead
Trespasses
The Marriage Portrait

I've just started I'm a fan by Sheena Patel.

Trespasses, I'm a Fan & Children of Paradise are 99p each on kindle, and Memphis is £2.99, so I've downloaded those for now.
I'll be sad if any of them are stream-of-conscious like Ducks, Newburyport. I still haven't quite got over that!

Glory is the standout for me. I found it very hard going for the first chapter or so because of its unusual style then the story caught fire in my head. Amazing book.

Really liked I’m a Fan. Bought it after hearing Sheena Patel give a reading. Good to see so many debuts this year.

That's interesting @Alltheprettyseahorses. I found Glory pretty tough going for the first third or so, and definitely felt like a book to admire rather than love. I'm not convinced the animal side of it really worked but feel like it will be studied at school in years to come. I think it may be one where I would have preferred the audiobook. I feel like the repetitive passages would have been more powerful listened to.

I think with 9 debuts, it's an interesting long list. I'm saving Demon Copperhead as am sure it'll make the short list and the Marriage Portrait as it doesn't really appeal, but will try and read some of the others.

No, sorry.

Really really REALLY tried with Demon Copperhead but I had to give up. Loved her earlier works though

Trespasses was incredible. When I read that, so many things fell into place for me. It shed light on someone close to me. By explaining her past, I felt I could understand her present so much more.

I am "trying" with it now.
For my book club, to be read real soon. Aghhhh