Tuesday, September 7, 2010

2010 Booker Prize Shortlist Announced

The blogosphere is all agog with the announcement of this year's shortlist:
  • Peter Carey Parrot and Olivier in America 
  • Emma Donoghue Room 
  • Damon Galgut In a Strange Room
  • Howard Jacobson The Finkler Question
  • Andrea Levy The Long Song  
  • Tom McCarthy C
There's a fair amount of debate and controversy surrounding this list, most notably at The Guardian Books, but lots of bloggers are weighing in as well.  What do you think of the shortlist?

The winner will be announced October 12.

4 comments:

  1. It is amazing isn't it? I was so sure that Mitchell's book would win and it didn't even make it to the shortlist! I hasten to add that I haven't read it but was basing my judgement totally on the amount of time I had to wait to get the book at my local library....

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  2. An interesting list. There would always be controversies. The most important thing are these books good enough? I think yes. Bringing in Tsiolka and Mitchell would also mean eliminating others. Is a book's popularity synonymous with its quality? No! We know that these days poorly written novels well marketed can give you anything you want.

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  3. I think it is a fair and good list. If we delete one or two off, then they would be replaced by others.

    I have read Dunmore, Galgut, Jacobson and Levy's books, and feel they are definitely worthy.

    I have not read the other book.

    I found you through Marie...Boston Bibliophile. Love your blog.

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  4. Thank you, jewwishes, this blog is very much a collaborative effort with many strong contributors. I'm glad you enjoy it.

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