Reading the Booker Prize Shortlist

The End of Everything – M. John Harrison
When I saw the list, I was very excited to see a big Science Fiction name on the list. I am, of course, a huge science fiction nerd. While the setting was weird and cool, and I could see what Harrison was going for with this book, this book did not really click with me. It is a weird, post apocalyptic book in which we really don’t know what the aliens who may have invaded really want and if humanity is actually at war with them or not. This did stay with me after reading and I feel like it would really benefit from a reread.

The Disappearers – Marlon James
I am embarrassed to admit that this is the first Marlon James novel I have actually read, even though I have three of his other books at home waiting for me to read them. But as I suspected going into this, Marlon James can WRITE. He brings the characters to life and lets them speak for themselves. Also, this book is DARK, which was to be expected since it is about homophobia and the gay scene in 80s and 90s Jamaica during the height of the AIDS crisis. I loved this book, even though it has an abundance of sex which I usually do not enjoy in my books.

Black Bag – Luke Kennard
This book is so weird, funny, and unhinged. I loved it so much. This is about a man method acting as a black bag. Yes, you read that right, just a black bag. He gets a gig to be a black bag in a university class, and it consumes him so much that he starts putting on the black bag at home, for outings, and the like. Method acting. I didn’t expect this book to be on the shortlist, because it is not a typical ‘Booker Book’, but I am grateful that I got to read this and I love that the book also made the shortlist.

May We Feed The King – Rebecca Perry
This book has a great premise that really grabbed me, but I found one of the timelines to be more intriguing than the other. The main character sets up historical exhibits to make it seem like they were actually lived in. We’ve all seen the likes, a table with some plastic food and what not. But she has her own work ethic for this, she wants to really merge herself into the place and the setting she is portraying. The other timeline is about a reluctant king living in the castle. For me, the modern day parts were stronger than the historical parts. But overall it was a pleasant read.

The Things We Never Say – Elizabeth Strout
Elizabeth Strout focuses on the minutiae of life. In this book, we follow an aging man who is obsessed with death, until he experiences a near miss. He uncovers secrets about his wife and his own life that he knew nothing about, while his relationship with his son strains and strengthens. A beautifully written little slice of life.

John of John – Douglas Stuart
I am ashamed to admit that this is also the first Douglas Stuart I have read, but I don’t regret reading it. It is a painful, strained relationship between father and son on a small island in the north of Scotland. While reading it, you could feel the cold winds and desolate, lonely spaces Stuart describes. It strained and hurt and was a wonderful read. I think I should probably read Douglas Stuart’s other work.

My prediction to win the Booker Prize from these shortlisted books is The Disappearers by Marlon James. It is such a good, well written book, with body and soul. This would mean a second Booker Prize for Marlon James, so the judges might be hesitant about that, but I think they will give it to him anyway. My personal favorite to win from this list is Black Bag by Luke Kennard, mostly because it will force everyone who always reads the Booker winner to read this unhinged, funny, piece of art!

Overall, I really enjoyed my experience of reading the Booker Shortlist. I don’t think I will be repeating this for the Booker longlist, but I will look into more prizes to read longlists for. I am eyeing the Jhalak Prize as a contender to read next year. And maybe I’ll even manage to write more blogposts about reading longlists.

Cover image: © Yuki Sugiura for Booker Prize Foundation