2009 Man Booker Prize Winner
Hilary Mantel has won the 2009 Man Booker Prize for Wolf Hall. I wasn’t interested in this book, but I do have the goal to read all Booker Prize winners. So, when the mood strikes . . .
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I hope you have a week when the mood strikes. It is not a bad book, by any means, but (from my point of view) it is a very disappointing book. I have no problem with investing time in a 650-page book, but I do expect a return — Wolf Hall did not provide it. I won’t be reading volume two in the series.
I’m sure the mood will strike. It will probably be my next historical novel. As for the 650 pages — that I’m not looking forward to. There are other long books I’ve been meaning to read. So, sometime in the next year or so. None of this is to detract from Ms. Mantel. I’m just not sure I would be a good reader right now.
I actually won this book in a giveaway and have yet to read it, but I have heard some wonderful things about it so I am looking forward to reading it. I was expecting either Waters or Byatt to win. Oh well.
I’m getting used to the idea that Wolf Hall won and am coming around to the idea that she deserved it. She will do as much for the prize as the prize will do for her, as it was already a popular book before it even made the list if library waiting lists are anything to go by. I borrow many books and I have never seen as many reservations as this one has had, and still going strong in that regard. I’m sure booksellers are very pleased.
From a personal point of view, I expected not to like Wolf Hall but ended up liking it a lot. I will certainly read the next in the series. I learned a lot from this book in an enjoyable way, contrasted with Byatt’s offering which I put down after 104 pages.
Hilary Mantel seems to be a lovely, genuine, and enthusiastic person.
Even though I personally would have chosen Summertime to win, I do believe the judges did the right thing this year.
It’s not just 650 pages Trevor, it’s 650 pages in what isn’t yet a complete work, there’s a sequel on the cards and this isn’t intended to be standalone as I understand it.
I look forward to your thoughts though when you do get to it, but I fear it’s territory I shall be leaving you to chart for me, while I remain at home reading your despatches from the front…