Long time, no see. I seriously fell off the thread and was so out of touch I didn't even realise the Booker longlist had been released. It's been a very busy few months. I'd done a lot of pre-reading for it and as usual the real list doesn't reflect the predicted books. I'll still keep doing it every year though, because I'm an idiot and love a list.
So far I've read
Wandering Stars - Tommy Orange
I had read There,There, There a few years ago and liked it, this touches on the before and after of events in that. It's a look at violence and discrimination towards the native American community through the ages, previous massacres and how generational trauma has a lasting effect. This covers school shootings, opioid crisis and mental health.
It does stand alone, but I'd recommend reading both for a more cohesive look at the issues. I really like his voice and find his books very readable. It's not a prize winner for me, but I think these are really important books that capture the experiences of his heritage incredibly well.
Wild Houses - Colin Barrett
Small time drug dealer messes with those higher up the food chain, so they kidnap his teenager brother as revenge. The teenage brother's girlfriend tries to save him.
An interesting look at small town life, how working class teens are often trapped with few prospects and fall into drugs and crime. It's a decent enough book but it's very out of place on a Booker list. It's competent but nothing special in either topic or writing.
Samantha Harvey - Orbital
Astronauts navel gaze as they orbit the earth.
Plotless, pointless and pretentious. I'm sure others will be able to find something profound and meaningful in it. I am not one of those people.
Came up as part of my Women's Prize pre-reading months ago. I hated it.
James - Percival Everett
Huckleberry Finn retold through the eyes of James the slave. It helps if you've read Twain, but isn't strictly necessary. Excellent evocation of time and place. I think it will be shortlisted but won't win.
My Friends - Hisham Matar
A Libyan student in Edinburgh finds his worldview changes when he enters western society. He protests the Gaddafi regime in London, is shot and as a result finds himself in exile. He is unable to tell his parents for their safety and pines for home knowing he can never return. He becomes friends with the author who inspired him to study literature and this friendship lasts for decades. Later in life he meditates on friendship, home and how the events of his youth have shaped him and hold him back.
This is outstanding and I'd call it as the winner this early. Beautiful writing and really poignant.
Held - Anne Michaels
"Who can say what happens when we are remembered?"
In 1917 a soldier lies on the battlefield unable to move. He remembers a chance encounter in a pub and moments from his childhood. In 1920 he is living with his wife in Yorkshire running a photography business, ghosts from the past leave messages he doesn't understand. This is told in a series of snapshots and memories from before and after the war.
There is no cohesive story or timeline to this. It's really abstract, fragmented and layered with gorgeous poetic writing. It's very arty and won't appeal to all, but I loved it. I listened to this but want to go back and read it to really savour the writing.
Headshot - Rita Bullwinkel
I DNFd this when it can up as part of my Women's Prize pre-reading. I didn't get very far, but I will go back and try it again.