This morning, the shortlist for this year’s Man Booker Prize was revealed.
- A Spool of Blue Thread, by Anne Tyler
- The Fisherman, by Chigozie Obioma
- A Little Life, by Hanya Yanagihara
- A Brief History of Seven Killings, by Marlon James
- The Year of the Runaways, by Sunjeev Sahota
- Satin Island, by Tom McCarthy
I’ve read only two of the six, Satin Island and A Spool of Blue Thread, and I wish neither the prize. From the longlist, I’d also read Marilynne Robinson’s Lila (which was the favorite on the forum) and Andrew O’Hagan’s The Illuminations. I really didn’t like The Illuminations, but I loved and continue to love more and more Lila. Alas . . .
Thoughts on the shortlist?
Still behind the times here in Colorado! :-)
I love Anne Tyler, though I have not yet read this one…. And I read a brief interview with Chigozie Obiorna in Poets & Writers the other day.
So I am without educated opinion…
I think A Little Life is going to win. I have no idea how it’s on the shortlist at the expense of any number of books but I’d put money on it now.
I found Lila a little disappointing after Gilead and Home, so less than surprised that it’s missing. A Brief History is the only other longlist book I read and it was very good, but not great, so I’m unsure about that one. I’m planning on reading the Chigozie Obiorna next, as I have high hopes for that ‘One’ imprint, let’s see!
Downloaded the ‘A Little Life’ sample to my Kindle and gave up without even reaching the end, so that isn’t a good sign.But there’s been so much buzz I may eventually feel inclined to try again.
Happy to report that my review of A Little Life will soon be complete…
I think it will probably win.
Chris: Do you think it should, or is that too spoilerish re: your review…?
I wouldn’t count out The Year of the Runaways. It’s garnered great U.K. reviews but hasn’t been released in the U.S. yet.