It is that time of year where we knuckle down and start reading as many of The Booker Prize nominated books. I don’t know about you all, but I am excited to see what is on offer this year, especially as we have ten new entries to the list that have never featured previously. Even more impressive is that four of the novelists are in the running to win the £50,000 prize for their debut novels!
As of August 1st, the longlist of thirteen books – the ‘Booker Dozen’ – has been available to review so we are a little late to the party here, but better late than never, right? There are still a fair few days to drop everything and blitz through as many titles as possible before the shortlist is announced on September 21st. This will then invite the release of the six shortlisted books. The winner of the £50,000 prize will be announced at an event at Old Billingsgate, London, on November 26, 2023.
The compendium of thirteen longlisted literary works embarks on an odyssey through the realms of universal and contemporaneous discourse. Within these pages, one can traverse the tapestry of human experience, from the profundities of poignant personal narratives to the intricate dance of tragic comedic family legacies. The volumes resonate with the reverberations of climate metamorphosis and the palpable struggles of marginalized communities, juxtaposed harmoniously with the chronicles of scientific epiphanies and the fervent arena of competitive sportsmanship.
Among these treasures of prose are ten luminaries, illuminating the literary horizon for the very first time, with four of them emerging as heralds of their debut novels. A trinity of authors, bearing the badge of seven prior nominations collectively, stand as witnesses to the passage of time and the evolution of their craft. Hailing from the corners of seven distinct nations spanning four continents, this literary assemblage paints a vivid mosaic of diverse perspectives and voices. Notably, the Irish quill has carved its mark profoundly, constituting an unprecedented third of the longlist, a testament to its vibrant contribution.
In the tapestry of narratives, a singular novel stands adorned with a neurodiverse protagonist, a creation etched upon the canvas of personal encounter. This amalgamation of literary brilliance summons all to embark upon a voyage through the intricacies of existence, an expedition both enlightening and exhilarating.
All thirteen novels cast new light on what it means to exist in our time, and they do so in original and thrilling ways.
Esi Edugyan, Chair of the judges
Introducing the Longlist
The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng
From the writer of The Garden of Evening Mists and The Gift of Rain, Tang Twan Eng brings us his latest novel, The House of Doors. The book is a masterful novel delving into love and betrayal under the Empire’s shadow. Set in 1921 Penang at Cassowary House, follows the intriguing lives of Robert Hamlyn, a prosperous lawyer, and his society hostess wife Lesley. Their world transforms with the arrival of Willie Somerset Maugham, a celebrated writer weighed down by marital strife, health issues, and failing business ventures. Lesley’s growing bond with Willie unveils his hidden struggles, portraying a man compelled to conceal his authentic self. Amidst preparations for confronting personal demons, secrets unfurl, including Lesley’s ties to a real murder case in Kuala Lumpur’s courts – a tragic tale that rivals fiction.
The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
From the writer of Skippy Dies, An Evening of Long Goodbyes, and The Mark and the Void, Paul Murray brings us The Bee Sting. This time round, a web of fate unfurls in his gripping saga, The Bee Sting. A fleeting patch of ice, a mysterious favor, a bee’s dance beneath a bridal veil – can a single stroke of misfortune alter life’s course?
Amidst the shadows, Dickie’s empire crumbles as he buries his head in the creation of an apocalypse-proof bunker. Imelda, his wife, navigates a world of dwindling resources, balancing eBay sales with a dalliance with Big Mike. In another realm, Cass, once a prodigy, spirals into a reckless haze, while 12-year-old PJ dances with the devil, plotting an escape from the clutches of ‘Ears’ Moran.
As the Barnes family hurtles towards an enigmatic abyss, questions claw at the edges. When did the thread of destiny fray? And in this script of their lives, where twists and turns have been inked – does time yet offer a chance at redemption?
Western Lane by Chetna Maroo
Chetna Maroo’s debut novel, Western Lane emanates a gentle and profound warmth, chronicling themes of grief, sisterhood, and a young girl’s quest for self-discovery amidst the world of squash.
In the book, we meet eleven-year-old Gopi, whose journey with squash commenced at the dawn of her abilities. In the wake of her mother’s departure, her father channels her energy into an intense training regimen, where the court’s confines become her sanctuary.
In the tender passage of time, the bonds with her sisters stretch thin, yet the rhythm of the sport endures as her guiding light. Each serve, volley, drive, and shot compose a symphony, and within this cadence, Gopi finds solace, not alone but accompanied by her pa, by Ged – a peer whose talent resonates, and by the echoes of predecessors. The court transforms into a realm of awe, binding her heart with threads of kinship and aspiration.
In Ascension by Martin McInnes
Embarking on an odyssey of wonder and introspection, Martin McInnes presents this profound epic that navigates the realms of nature and human essence with compassion and curiosity.
In Ascension is rooted in Rotterdam’s embrace, Leigh’s upbringing is shadowed by discontent. The waterfront, a refuge, kindles her fascination with the underwater realm. A voyage into marine biology follows, a global odyssey in pursuit of ancient secrets.
Bound by the allure of discovery, Leigh ventures to the Atlantic Ocean’s trench. Amidst the abyss, revelations emerge, challenging the very fabric of our origins. A heart-rending choice crystallizes: to cling to the familiar or to ascend a cosmic tapestry, forging a path that defies earthly boundaries.
Prophet Song by Paul Lynch
A mother stands at life’s crossroads, her heart heavy with an agonizing decision. In Prophet Song, seasoned writer, Paul Lynch, paints a poignant canvas, a symphony of society’s fragile edges.
In Dublin’s somber embrace, Eilish Stack, a scientist, and a mother to four, opens her door to a somber reality—the GNSB, emissaries of Ireland’s clandestine forces. Two officers stand, seeking her husband’s presence. Amidst this tapestry of turmoil, the nation teeters toward the precipice of tyranny. A tempest churns, and Eilish finds herself enmeshed in a nightmarish realm, where unpredictable winds of fate toss her like a fragile leaf. In a world spiraling into disarray, she clings fiercely to her family, driven to traverse uncharted depths in a relentless pursuit to keep their unity unbroken.
All the Little Bird Hearts
Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow’s debut novel, All the Little Bird Hearts unfolds a lyrical tapestry, delving into motherhood’s nuances and the intricate threads of human bonds.
In the realm of Sunday Forrester, precision reigns. White foods on tranquil days, etiquette as a compass in society’s labyrinth, and a sanctuary of Sicilian tales. Yet, Dolly, her spirited daughter, dances on the edge of independence. Amidst this choreography, Vita and Rollo, a captivating duo, disrupt Sunday’s serenity. As connections form, warmth blossoms, yet shadows lurk beneath their charm. For Sunday harbors what Vita longs for—a cherished daughter.
Pearl by Siân Hughes
In Pearl, Siân Hughes weaves a haunting debut, unraveling the enigma of the human psyche through a prism of medieval echoes. Marianne, adrift at eight, faces her mother’s absence. Fragments of love linger, mingling with herb-scented memories, ethereal games, and childhood’s whispered tales. Yet, veiled secrets clutch her father, and Marianne’s fixation on vanished truth deepens. Entwined with a medieval poem named Pearl, she quests for solace, crafting an elusive masterpiece. The chapel’s silent grave and the river’s lure cast a spell, eroding her childhood haven, unraveling memories like threads. Amidst art’s alchemy, can healing be found? In the chrysalis of motherhood, might peace descend?
This Other Eden by Paul Harding
Paul Harding’s narrative symphony weaves lyricism into power, conjuring a world of enchantment. Here, amid the tumultuous currents of intolerance, his masterpiece beckons—a testament to the fortitude of souls that dare to defy conformity.
Imprinted with echoes of history, This Other Eden unfurls its tapestry—a tale bound to Apple Island, a sanctuary off the coast, where societal fugitives seek refuge from the harrowing glare of judgment. The year is 1792, and within the embrace of this secluded Eden, strides Benjamin Honey, once ensnared in the shackles of slavery, now united with his Irish love, Patience. Together, they forge a life beneath the island’s nurturing sky.
Centuries cascade, like petals in the wind, and the Honey lineage endures. A mosaic of eccentric kin coexists with an orchestra of diverse souls. Yet, destiny’s arc sways inexorably. ‘Civilization’ emerges, casting its shadow—a sweeping tide of cleansing determined by officious hands. Amid the burgeoning storm, a missionary’s compass alights upon a solitary light-skinned boy, chosen to be saved. The rest—adrift upon the waters’ embrace, like fragments of a new Noah’s Ark—surrender to fate’s capricious whim.
How to Build a Boat by Elaine Feeney
In How to Build a Boat, Elaine Feeney’s tender touch and vibrant narrative unveil the journey of a singular boy whose mission radiates transformative love. Meet Jamie O’Neill – a devotee of red hues, guardian of tall trees, seeker of patterns in wind-kissed rain, and a connoisseur of life’s curvatures. His heart beats in rhythm with the embrace of countless treasures – the jackets of dusty books, feline companions, meandering rivers, and the enchantment of Edgar Allan Poe.
Aged thirteen, Jamie nurtures two dreams: to craft a Perpetual Motion Machine and, like intertwining vines, to commune with the spirit of his late mother, Noelle, who parted ways as he entered the world. In his universe, these aspirations dance harmoniously.
In a new school, where the world’s kaleidoscope often blurs, two souls appear like beacons on his path, offering guidance through life’s labyrinth.
If I Survive You by Johnathan Escoffery
If I Survive You by Johnathan Escoffery is a dynamic novel-in-stories, pulsating with style, heart, and cutting humor, as it unveils the gritty essence of existence between cultures, homes, and paydays.
In 1979, amidst Kingston’s turmoil, Topper and Sanya flee to Miami, only to confront an icy American embrace. Their son Trelawny matures amid suspicion, while Delano hungers for a brighter future, a quest marked by audacious recklessness. Navigating a minefield of adversity—absent father, racism, financial upheaval, and the wrath of Hurricane Andrew—the brothers stand divided. Will their rivalry eclipse all, fracturing the very bonds of kinship?
Study for Obedience by Sarah Bernstein
Sarah Bernstein’s formidable second novel, Study for Obedience, delves into the depths of human psyche, confronting prejudice, abuse, and guilt through the fractured lens of an unreliable narrator.
A metamorphosis unfolds as a woman departs her birthplace, seeking refuge in a distant and mysterious northern realm. Her purpose: to serve as housekeeper to her brother, a man wounded by his wife’s abandonment. Yet, as she sets foot in this realm, a symphony of misfortune befalls the land: a contagion of bovine hysteria, the poignant demise of an ewe and her unborn lamb, a spectral pregnancy in a local dog, and the relentless embrace of potato blight.
Dark clouds of distrust gather, cocooning her in a chilling web woven by the community’s suspicious gaze, her isolation deepening as their malevolence draws near her brother’s abode. Within those walls, she ministers to him and his home with a meticulous devotion. But shadows stir within, and as she tends to his needs, an eerie malady takes root, entwining their fates in a dance of sickness and suspicion.
Old God’s Time by Sebastian Barry
In this beautiful, haunting novel, Sebastian Barry presents a story of bewitching opus, where the line between reality and illusion blurs to whispers, a mesmerizing tale unfurls in Old God’s Time. It is a symphony of existence – the tangible, the enigmatic, and the echoes that may linger beyond our mortal footfalls.
In the stillness of his new abode, a nestled alcove appended to a Victorian Castle that perches upon the edge of the Irish Sea, retired constable Tom Kettle finds solace. An aura of quietude drapes over his days, punctuated only by the apparitions of an idiosyncratic landlord and the tentative presence of a young mother, her spirit fraught with unease, who has become his neighbor.
Amidst this tranquil tapestry, fleeting recollections of yesteryears dance like shadows across Tom’s consciousness – vignettes of a kin, his cherished June, and their offspring. Yet, an ethereal tide beckons forth the specters of his own past as former comrades reappear on his threshold, shrouded in the mysteries of a case he could never fully fathom. A tale veiled in cobwebs of time calls him to the forefront, ensnaring him in the labyrinthine corridors of memories long dormant, where shadows gather, and secrets stir.
A Spell of Good Things by Ayòbami Adèbáyò
Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ weaves a luminous tapestry of modern Nigeria, entwining two families within currents of wealth, power, romance, and political intrigue in A Spell of Good Things.
Her spellbinding novel traverses the heartbeats of a diverse nation, where disparities between the privileged and the marginalized resonate. Amidst this mosaic, stands Ẹniọlá, a young figure straddling childhood and adulthood, marked by dreams and resilience. Beside him, Wuraola, a beacon of privilege, emerges as a weary doctor, her path an intersection of opulence and sacrifice.
Amidst the glittering façade, an eruption of violence forever links their destinies, illuminating the intricate web of human connection that transcends boundaries.
Have you say: Are there any firm favorites on the list that call out to you? Do you think you know the winner already? Let the Papergirl Community know by dropping your comments below.
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Wondering what to review next, consider:
- Destruction in Love by Elizabeth Weseloh
- Jigsaw Puzzle in a Vortex (A Collection of Memoirs) by Aurora M. Lewis
- Knocktopia, Secret of the Mother Lode by Hunter Malone
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