CanadianContent discussion

https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...

I've only read Exit West and The Underground Railroad. I still can't believe that book won the Pulitzer.

I've only read Lincoln in the Bardo and The Underground Railroad.

I've read Swing Time and Underground Railroad, though I only listened to an abridged audio version of that. I think that was enough, though. It was ok, but perhaps the full book would be better though I suspect I would just continue to think "it was ok"

Thanks for posting Susan. Much appreciated. Have been anxiously awaiting this longlist. Looking forward to some international fiction after concentrating so much on Canadian authors. Caveat - still love Can Lit. :)

Am disappointed that Anything Is Possible isn't included and thought The Nix might be there as well. However am not surprised by the choices. Looks like it's heavily weighted towards proven writers with a few lesser known authors (including debut authors) included and a predominately UK and US focus.

Am hoping to read as many of the 13 books in the longlist as possible before the Sept. 13/17 shortlist announcement. Since this is only six weeks away.....am not sure how realistic a goal this is (as I have other books in the stream as well.) Hopefully I'm able to choose wisely and read most of the shortlist beforehand.

Right now I have Autumn by Ali Smith and Days Without End by Sebastian Barry in hand. Looking forward to reading both.

I own 3 of the books on the list so will read those:
The Underground Railroad, Exit West and Swing Time

Pretty disappointed in the short list. 3/6 books are US, and no Canadians. I much preferred the Booker when US books were not included.

http://mailchi.mp/fourcolmangetty/the...

I'm also not a big fan of this award being opened up to U.S. authors, but Lincoln in the Bardo was such an interesting book. I wouldn't be surprised if it wins.

I did really well with my long list reading, as I've read 4 of the 6 on the short list. I doubt I will tackle 4 3 2 1 (too long!). The other one I haven't read is Elmet.

I really enjoyed Exit West and Autumn - looking forward to the others (except the Auster, will give it a miss!). I too preferred it when US authors were not part of it. I enjoy lots of American fiction, but we have so much exposure to it already and I liked both the chance to be exposed to other writing and the overall 'feel' of it better before. Still excited though!

Susan wrote: "I did really well with my long list reading, as I've read 4 of the 6 on the short list. I doubt I will tackle 4 3 2 1 (too long!). The other one I haven't read is Elmet..."

Good for you Susan! I haven't read any but will next year for my Booker book club. 4321 would be a good summer project.

Nothing from Canada, Africa, Australia or the Caribbean is pretty disappointing. Yet HALF of the list from the US. That is pretty skewed IMO.

I feel the same Louise. I enjoy books out of the US but I feel they get a lot of promotion/marketing etc. We hear about the good and/or popular ones. I liked that the Booker's gave me a chance to get my hands on books that are coming out of other countries that I may not have heard of otherwise.

Echo the comments in the US weight this year. I look forward to the Booker list every year and it never fails to be an introduction to some authors and/or titles I would otherwise miss - no exception this year with several added to my list for reading (which grows faster than I can read). We were recently in England and it was interesting to see how strongly the nominees are displayed in the bookstores there vs. here. In general, I don't feel it gets the same traction here, and perhaps that's something that the US inclusion will help to change. (or maybe it's just the circle of readers I hang with?)

Thanks for posting Louise - i have to say that I have only even heard of one of these books!

Like many others I am also disappointed with the heavy American presence on the list. Simply because we are already exposed to so many American authors and titles. I have read Exit West and really liked it but I have also read Lincoln in the Bardo and I am hopeful this will win due to it's ingenuity. It is not a book that everyone will appreciate but I found it so unique and at times, very touching. It was a breath of fresh air in my reading.

The only one I have read is The Underground Railroad and I am in the minority as I really enjoyed it. I thought using Cora's story and an actual railroad as a plot device to illustrate all the human rights abuses in America's history was brilliant.

I am hoping to read Lincoln in the Bardo in the near future, for those who have read it, do you think it will do well as an audio book?

I would advise against the audiobook for Lincoln in the Bardo. I had to abandon it and have heard from friends that they did the same. The book's format on the page doesn't translate well to audio. I was completely lost on audio but found the print version easy to follow.

Heather(Gibby) wrote: "The only one I have read is The Underground Railroad and I am in the minority as I really enjoyed it. I thought using Cora's story and an actual railroad as a plot device to illustr..."

Heather, I really liked The Underground Railroad - you are not alone!

As for the audio version of LITB, while I expect it would be MUCH easier to follow after reading it in print (there are a lot of characters... and even more quote citations) I've heard the audio production is pretty outstanding. I've read it in print and would like to listen at some point.

Interesting commentary: https://www.theguardian.com/books/boo...

On the same boat as others about the American inclusion,think it really stinks. We get too much publicity about American books already. Really bad mistake.

Alan wrote: "On the same boat as others about the American inclusion,think it really stinks. We get too much publicity about American books already. Really bad mistake."

And it's a mistake that can't be undone now I fear. And sadly the Commonwealth Writers' Prize was discontinued in 2011 to be replaced the Commonwealth Short Story Prize which is a great prize too but I wish they had kept the prizes as they were (best book and best first book) and just added the short story prize instead of replacing the previous prizes.

But is the Short Story prize for just one story? If so I really don't find those prizes very helpful. I used to love the Frank O'Connor prize because it was for an entire collection and they always picked the greatest books-plus their long list was massive and extremely
international so you would get these writers from all over the world submitted and it was just a wonderful introduction to world literature.

If you're looking for more International be sure check out the IMPAC awards. There's about a 1 year lag and they invite and use the recommendations from libraries all over the world - 100+ to select a winner.

Alan wrote: "But is the Short Story prize for just one story? If so I really don't find those prizes very helpful. I used to love the Frank O'Connor prize because it was for an entire collection and they always..."

It is for just one story, but it's a good kickstart to help an author write enough to put a collection together.

Yes the Impac are amazing and lots of Canadians make the list.

Under Genres - there's a Short Stories topic thread. Like many members I enjoy short stories. Maybe it's just me, but I'm finding short story discussions in the Man Booker thread rather confusing. Am thinking this short story discussion might be much more impactful if all in one place with similar short story comments under the Short Stories thread. Just an idea to adopt or ignore. :)

Lincoln in the Bardo wins: http://www.cbc.ca/books/george-saunde...

Thanks Allison for posting the winner of the 2017 Man Booker Awrd.

I'd forgotten today was when the the winner would be announced.

Have Lincoln in the Bardo in hand. Even though I have read strong reviews that "did not like Lincoln in the Bardo I have read "positive reviews" as well. It sounds like I should read while I am in luck to have a library copy before the holds soar after this announcement.

Of the long-listed books I've read - History of Wolves, Autumn and Days Without End, the first 2 made the short list.....but it was the last book r that was my favourite. Although it did not make the short list, Days Without End did win the 2017 Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction.