The Mookse and the Gripes discussion

The Costa is a little towards the popular end of the British literary prize spectrum vs the Booker and Goldsmiths. This article explains well how they all relate
http://www.newstatesman.com/2014/09/a...

2016 Shortlists announced today:

Novel
Sebastian Barry for Days Without End (Faber & Faber)
Maggie O’Farrell for This Must Be the Place (Tinder Press)
Sarah Perry for The Essex Serpent (Serpent’s Tail)
Rose Tremain for The Gustav Sonata (Chatto & Windus)

First novel
Susan Beale for The Good Guy (John Murray)
Kit de Waal for My Name Is Leon (Viking)
Guinevere Glasfurd for The Words in My Hand (Two Roads)
Francis Spufford for Golden Hill (Faber & Faber)

The Spufford and Perry novels are ones I have heard good things about and indeed had expected to see on the Booker list.

I don't plan to read all of these but have completed Golden Hill. Not without it's flaws, but a book I would love to see take the First Novel prize, albeit one could argue it's a little unfair as Spufford is a debut novelist but an acclaimed non-fiction writer.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

And at the risk - or perhaps the hope! - of stirring up some discussion - this is the book that My Bloody Project failed to be.

I have had Golden Hill on hold at the library since mid-September... I'm glad to hear the long wait will be worth it. I'm going to forgo reading your review until I finish, Paul, but I'll be sure to look at it once I do.

My review of Sebastian Barry's Days Without End, which I suspect is a strong contender for next year's Booker, although it didn't entirely work for me.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I have just started reading Barry's Days Without End and so far I like it infinitely more than The Essex Serpent which I more or less loathed from the outset. Too much fog not enough Serpent and a main character I just could not fathom
However, substantial public opinion might suggest I am wrong.

The Maggie O'Farrell looks good and the Francis Spufford is on my list.

Trudie wrote: "I have just started reading Barry's Days Without End and so far I like it infinitely more than The Essex Serpent which I more or less loathed from the outset. "

I plan to get to that some point, although possibly not in time for the awards. My twin, who has read it, liked it but highlighted one of the same issues you did in your review - the author failed to convince the reader as to why the other characters were so attracted to Cora.

I plan to get to that some point, although possibly not in time for the awards.
"
That was indeed a big hurdle, this inexplicable "outbreak" of love for a woman mostly concerned with poking about in mud for serpents.

Trudie, I've set it aside with the intention of going back to it but the further from it I get the more I can't work out what's so good about it. I'm about half way through and it feels like a very conventional story with stereotypical characters and lashings of Victorian tropes

Trudie wrote: "I plan to get to that some point, although possibly not in time for the awards.
"
That was indeed a big hurdle, this inexplicable "outbreak" of love for a woman mostly concerned with poking about ..."

Oddly, that makes me want to read it even more! :-)

Carl wrote: "....I can't work out what's so good about it..."

Given everything going on the world right now, I find myself just wanting to read something "enjoyable". And, for me, this fit the bill very well.

So I seem to be more successful reading this Costa shortlist than this years Booker one.

Sebastian Barry's "Days without End" is a far superior book in every respect to Perry's "The Essex Serpent" but I will allow the Serpent may be the more immediately accessible and perhaps a better book if Cora casts her love spell upon you ...

I didn't completely connect with the Barry either and like Paul had some reservations and a feeling it may improve with a reread.

Well I only read two of the 8 shortlisted novels - but I picked the right two!

Days Without End takes the main novel prize, Barry's 2nd Costa Prize.

And the excellent Golden Hill the first novel prize.

Now they go up against a poetry book, a biography and a children's book (no idea how the judges compare them!) for the overall prize.

Thanks Paul for that update, certainly I am not unhappy with that result based on the two novels from the list I read. I hope to get to some others.

I've heard good things about Golden Hill.

Golden Hill was one of my favourite reads of last year. A much more enjoyable book than Days Without End.

I see Days Without End takes out the award for this year.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...

Having not read the entire list I don't know if there was a better option but I did enjoy this one with some reservations.

Congratulations to Sebastian Barry

The category shortlists for this year will be announced on Tuesday, 21st November - and I have to say that I have high hopes (I loved Days Without End)!

Meike wrote: "The category shortlists for this year will be announced on Tuesday, 21st November - and I have to say that I have high hopes (I loved Days Without End)!"

I always have mixed reactions with the Costa awards I prefer awards for one book rather than a bunch of winners and one overall, but the selections are pretty good. This year one of the judges of the new novelist category is Booktuber Simon Savidge and I'm interested to see what his choices were (I think he also said that he'll do a video of all the other novels that didn't make the cut)

The debut winner Golden Hill was also very strong (and a glaring Booker omission).

So yes will be interesting to see what they come up with.

Paul wrote: "The debut winner Golden Hill was also very strong (and a glaring Booker omission).

So yes will be interesting to see what they come up with."

Oh Paul, we are ever at an impasse. I hated Golden Hill with the power of many suns ;)

Robert wrote: "Meike wrote: "The category shortlists for this year will be announced on Tuesday, 21st November - and I have to say that I have high hopes (I loved Days Without End)!"

I always have mixed reaction..."

I love Simon Savidge's channel and podcast but I rarely like his recommendations unfortunately. It must be me. Doesn't stop me loving his enthusiasm though.

Trudie wrote: "Oh Paul, we are ever at an impasse. I ha..."

Yes our Nix vs Reservoir 13 views were at opposite ends of the spectrum as well - but we both have Ferrante fever.

Yes, your enthusiasm for Ferrante is noted ! As well as several other books I think we have at least admired, so all is not lost.
I have just managed to get Ali Smiths “Winter” in here but I am in a dilemma about if I should read it during the NZ summer? ;)

Carl wrote: "Robert wrote: "Meike wrote: "The category shortlists for this year will be announced on Tuesday, 21st November - and I have to say that I have high hopes (I loved Days Without End)!"

I always have..."

Haha , with Simon it's hit or miss. Sometimes I'll discover something I will obsess over and sometimes I'll just shrug. Saying that when he intensely dislikes a book I'll buy it and I'll think it's great.

2017 shortlist out - includes the book that should have won the Booker and the Goldsmiths - 3rd time lucky? As well as another that should have made the Booker shortlist.

2017 Costa Novel Award shortlist

Jon McGregor for Reservoir 13 (4th Estate)
Kamila Shamsie for Home Fire (Bloomsbury Circus)
Stef Penney for Under A Pole Star(Quercus)
Sarah Winman for Tin Man (Tinder Press)

2017 Costa First Novel Award shortlist

Xan Brooks for The Clocks in This House All Tell Different Times (Salt)
Karl Geary for Montpelier Parade (Harvill Secker)
Gail Honeyman for Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine (HarperCollins)
Rebecca F. John for The Haunting of Henry Twist (Serpent’s Tail)

I ordered The Clocks in This House All Tell Different Times as soon as I read the description. It sounds very good. They all sound good, except Stef Penney, I can't say that appeals to me.

WndyJW wrote: "I ordered The Clocks in This House All Tell Different Times as soon as I read the description. It sounds very good. They all sound good, except Stef Penney, I can't say that appeals..."

I concur... I ordered both Tin Man and Clocks...have read Reservoir 13 and Home Fire, had no interest in the Penney! May or may not check out the other three debuts.

I read Clocks earlier in the year as I thought it was an outsider for the Booker. It's certainly memorable (in a dark way) but I would be ambiguous about recommending it due to the subject matter.

I had already ordered the Eleanor Oliphant book earlier in the week as it is appearing in a number of Book of the Year recommendations.

Like both of you I have ordered Tin Man on seeing it listed.

I would not normally read piety but for those that do, Helen Dunmore wrote some great novels before her untimely death and her collection of poems sounds very moving.

For those with children or grandchildren, both Katherine Rundell and Kiran Millwood Hargrave have produced brilliant earlier novels, and both of their new books would make ideal Christmas presents for future members of this forum.

All lists including bio, poetry and childrens books plus descriptions here

https://www.costa.co.uk/media/478795/...

At the moment I'm reading Eleanor Oliphant and I think it's pretty good - in fact I'm surprised due to the narrative technique. Dare I say it is mildly experimental as Honeyman manages to mix polysyllabic words within child-like language.

I have the Haunting of Henry Twist and Tin Man on the TBR pile so those will be shifted to the bedside table.

I've already ordered Clocks... and Montpelier. I'm debating about The Guo. I like her writing so I am tempted.

As a children's librarian I usually read the Kids selections - this year I am looking forward to Wed Wabbit

Gumble's Yard wrote: "
For those with children or grandchildren, both Katherine Rundell and Kiran Millwood Hargrave have produced brilliant earlier novels, and both of their new books would make ideal Christmas presents for future members of this forum. "

Both of their new shortlisted books have already been read - and approved - in my house. My daughter has also read Wed Wabbit, which features an annoying child called Graham who is scared of everything, but eventually grows out of it - says it reminded her of her uncle.

Thanks for posting the list, Paul!

Very pleased to see Shamsie on there, it's also the third round in the awards game for her (after the Booker and the GR Coice Award). In case R 13 wins, I'll at least be happy for its fanclub - maybe I'll throw a real-life snoozefest to celebrate the novel's spirit! :-) (Hey, hardcore fans: No outrage please, I am just having a little fun here, okay?)

I have a PSA regarding "Eleanor Oliphant": The audiobook is on Spotify, so if you're a subscriber, you get it for free! (at least in Germany - you'll have to check your region)

I heard the announcements on Radio 4's Front Row - one of their reviewers mentioned Jon McGregor's tweets (which are always entertaining) - they both liked Reservoir 13 and Home Fire and tipped Xan Brooks for the first novel.

It is worth following Gumble's link above, but for those of you who want a quick summary, the shortlists in the other sections are:

Biography
Once Upon A Time in the East: A Story of Growing Up by Xiaolu Guo (Chatto & Windus)
A Bold and Dangerous Family: The Rossellis and the Fight Against Mussolini by Caroline Moorehead (Chatto & Windus)
In the Days of Rain: A Daughter, a Father, a Cult by Rebecca Stott (4th Estate)
Fragile Lives: A Heart Surgeon’s Stories of Life and Death on the Operating Table by Professor Stephen Westaby (HarperCollins)

Poetry
Kumukanda by Kayo Chingonyi (Chatto & Windus)
Inside the Wave by Helen Dunmore (Bloodaxe Books)
On Balance by Sinéad Morrissey (Carcanet)
Useful Verses by Richard Osmond (Picador)

Children's books
Moonrise by Sarah Crossan (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)
Wed Wabbit by Lissa Evans (David Fickling Books)
The Island at the End of Everything by Kiran Millwood Hargrave (Chicken House)
The Explorer by Katherine Rundell (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)

That Reservoir 13 has made the list for the three UK awards that span the literary spectrum does confirm what a remarkable book it is.

Only other case I can think of is Ali Smith's How to be Both, which also won the Bailey's and was shortlisted for the Folio, as well as going further than R13 in both Goldsmiths and Booker.

As many of you have, I've also read R13 and Home Fire (yay for the nomination!).
I'm planning on reading the remaining two nominees in the fiction category, and then all four of the debut category.

I already have Tin Man at home and will dive into that maybe tonight. And I downloaded the audiobook of Montpelier Parade yesterday for my commute (less that six hours long), and about a third in I'm very pleasantly surprised! Would not have picked it after reading the blurb. The author Karl Geary reads the audio book himself, and I have to say I enjoy his mellow Irish accent a lot!

Meike wrote: "I have a PSA regarding "Eleanor Oliphant": The audiobook is on Spotify, so if you're a subscriber, you get it for free! (at least in Germany - you'll have to check your region)"

Cool! I'll have to check that out!

Paul wrote: "That Reservoir 13 has made the list for the three UK awards that span the literary spectrum does confirm what a remarkable book it is."

Haha- I knew you wouldn't be able NOT to comment, Paul! I don't agree with your logic here, but you know what: Just because I don't like it doesn't mean that you can't have good reasons to love it! So we found a book we can disagree on, while there are so many others we do agree on - nothing wrong with that, if you ask me! :-)

Tim wrote: "And I downloaded the audiobook of Montpelier Parade yesterday for my commute (less that six hours long), and about a third in I'm very pleasantly surprised! ...."

Oh, I'll have to listen to this, too! :-)

Meike and Paul are reminding me of Britta and me! Britta and I HAVE managed to agree on a few books, but are often polar opposites. It’s fun!

Meike, (I have resisted the temptation so far, but...) the reviewer on Front Row (Toby Lichtig, the other one was Alex Clark) made more or less exactly the point Paul did - that it said something about the quality of the book that it was equally well suited to three prizes with such diverse criteria.

... and you do have Doug on your side!

Neil wrote: "Meike and Paul are reminding me of Britta and me! Britta and I HAVE managed to agree on a few books, but are often polar opposites. It’s fun!"

It really is - it's always fun to have people around who are also passionate about books, it's not necessary to always agree with them!

Hugh wrote: "Meike, (I have resisted the temptation so far, but...) the reviewer on Front Row (Toby Lichtig, the other one was Alex Clark) made more or less exactly the point Paul did - that it said something a..."

Yeaaaah......I still don't like it! :-) And if it is possible that they are all wrong for not picking it as the winner, they could just as well all be wrong for listing it in the first place, ha! :-) #shamsieforthewin

No, on a theoretical level, I get why you like the book, it just did not speak to me. That doesn't make it a bad book, I was just having a little fun here (but don't you dare dissing my favorite authors!). :-)

Hugh wrote: "... and you do have Doug on your side!"

I do - Doug is a man who understands my feelings, at least regarding R 13! :-)

Hugh wrote: "Meike, (I have resisted the temptation so far, but...) the reviewer on Front Row (Toby Lichtig, the other one was Alex Clark) made more or less exactly the point Paul did - that it said something about the quality of the book that it was equally well suited to three prizes with such diverse criteria."

McGregor made the same point himself this morning

The Costa and the Goldsmiths are in some sense two ends of a spectrum, so it’s really exciting to be shortlisted for both. It felt like a very experimental book while I was writing it, but it’s not necessarily that experimental on the surface, although it demands quite a lot of the reader … a certain patience.

Maybe you are just too impatient Meike :-)

If I hadn't actually met Gumble and Paul I would be deeply suspicious that either one of you is actually Jon McGregor in disguise, such is your sustained, unequivocal, comprehensive, praise of Reservoir 13.
The greatest book of all time, is it not?!

Jonathan wrote: "The greatest book of all time, is it not?!"

Tolstoy is rolling over (...and puking) in his grave! :-)

Gumble's Yard wrote: "Maybe you are just too impatient Meike :-)"

Gumble, let me put it like that: This book certainly made me think "Ain't nobody got time for that!" :-)

Doug wrote: "Tolstoy is rolling over (...and puking) in his grave! :-)"

Doug, so glad to see you here! :-)

Ha, this entire thread is very amusing !

Meike - Just let me know the date and time of this R13 snoozefest party and I am there with suitably snooze worthy party foods like Asparagus rolls.. (if a small town NZ version of R13 was to be written these would certainly feature ).

Home Fire hopefully for the win ;)

I am hoping the Bailey's Prize decide to make an honorary exception for McGregor's eligibility on the grounds that he writes about male violence.

And if only he can get an Indy publisher to pick it up I can guarantee he would be nailed on for the Republic of Consciousness Prize list.

Only the Nobel though would truly do this justice.

Doesn't seem worth opening a thread on who will come second to Reservoir 13 in the main novel prize as that isn't made public anyway.

But the debut novel one looks interesting. I am not sure I am reading Eleanor Oliphant the way the author intended as she seems like the most sensible character I have encountered in literature this year.

I warmed the teapot, then spooned in some first flush Darjeeling ... Knowing no better [my colleagues] are content to drop a bag of poorest quality blended tea into a mug, scald it with boiling water, and then dilute any remaining flavour by adding fridge-cold milk. Once again, for some reason, it is I who am considered strange.
...
Sport is a mystery to me. In primary school, sports day was the one day of the year when the less academically gifted students could triumph, winning prizes for jumping fastest in a sack, or running from Point A to Point B more quickly than their classmates. How they loved to wear those badges on their blazers the next day! As if a silver in the egg-and-spoon race was some sort of compensation for not understanding how to use an apostrophe.

couldn't agree more on both of those

Paul wrote: "Doesn't seem worth opening a thread on who will come second to Reservoir 13 in the main novel prize as that isn't made public anyway.

But the debut novel one looks interesting. I am not sure I am..."

Note to self: remember never to offer Paul a cup of tea....

Paul quoted "In primary school, sports day was the one day of the year when the less academically gifted students could triumph, winning prizes for jumping fastest in a sack" ...

Now I remember your school sporting achievements very well and I recall that the only prize you ever won in all those years was for jumping fastest in a sack (aided of course by your connections to the sack supplier enabling you to practice in advance).

What inference are we meant to draw from your fierce endorsement of the quote.

Paul wrote: "I am hoping the Bailey's Prize decide to make an honorary exception for McGregor's eligibility on the grounds that he writes about male violence.

And if only he can get an Indy publisher to pick i..."

I have a great idea. Could you not ask your in laws to find someone to translate to Korean. Say Han Yujoo. You could then commission Tilted Axis Press to translate it back to English. That way it could be nominated for the Man Booker International and Best Translated Book Award and the Republic of Consciousness.