The Mookse and the Gripes discussion

Love Forms by Claire Adam (Faber & Faber)

has anyone read this? it does seem like a not-for-me book, but maybe someone knows what makes this great?

Wondering also. This is not a book I would have chosen were it not longlisted, but it's available from the library so we'll see how it goes.

I went to a reading done by the author - alongside Eimear McBride and Natasha Brown - Faber launching all three at same time.

It didn’t make me want to read her book particularly vs the other two. Indeed you couldn’t buy it there as it wasn’t out but they had a “buy her old book and we will give you a free physical ARC” offer and, given I read all the books I have, it rather put me off as I didn’t want to read two of her books. Particular as the previous novel has some anti Paul material in it.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/202...

Interesting story. I pointed out the connection in my review some time back and somewhere on this thread but had not really seen as a conflict - but I had not know about the film.

Bit of a non story though given "she declared the potential conflict to ensure transparency and only gave her view on the book after the other judges had shared theirs"

Also from Gaby Wood "No book can go through if it is supported by one judge alone" - which is a change from 2018 then!

I think all the Parker-files should be made public to get to the bottom of this friendship

It’s a non starter of a story to me.

Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer wrote: "It’s a non starter of a story to me."

Agreed. Don't think it makes a difference.

I have started this one. So far, I am enjoying it more than her debut.

That was great though with with one twin who was seen as Golden and the other, rather challenged one, called Paul

Yes - an impressive feat of imagination.

You might both be a bit biased about it then.

Yes she is dead to me until the lawsuit is settled. She should have changed the names at least.

This is a book that grew on me the more I read and finished incredibly strong. It is another that is quiet and understated but packs quite a punch. At first I was so angry with her family for how they treated her, and as she looks back on that time from 40 years later, I think she has so much buried trauma that she is only now starting to work through, which is why it becomes so compelling the more she peels back the onion layers. I will definitely read this one again and urge others to do so.

I am also enjoying this mich morevthan expected. It's strong in its storytelling, even though it sometimes gets lost a bit. There is still 1/5 to go, but so far its interesting (if not exactly groundbreaking).

Add me to the positive list. I can see this being shortlisted.

Certainly will if SJP gets a say …. Would definitely boost the film rights.

It’s a little outside my shortlist but would not object at all if it was there. The ending is definitely good.

Well, the long list is so strong that I am unsure if this will make my personal short list, but I really liked the tone and the way the novel dealt with memory and trauma. It felt a bit less "now" than some of the other novels, as if it could have been written at any point in the last ten years (with the exception, of course, of Covid).

I am a bit unresolved re: the parents and the family in Trinidad. They seem quite stereotypical, but then again - sometimes stereotypes are there for a reason?

Yes re memory - it’s super strong on that.

Definitely won’t be making my shortlist, although I did, eventually, find it absorbing. The protagonist is (quite understandably) suffering from almost lifelong paranoia and low self-esteem, conditions that do not usually make for a page-turner. And I agree that it’s not “now”, far from it terms of the language. Sarah Moss in Ripeness handled an illegitimate baby + nuns thème much more adroitly, imho.

Oh yeah, I loved Ripeness! I didn't really connect these two novels, because for me, Love Forms was mostly about the tone and narrative, but now that you mention it, there are quite a few parallels. Thanks for pointing that out.

Illegitimate given up for adoption baby in flashlight too (no nuns) and possibly in audition (who knows there).

I thought this one was quietly brilliant. I was very moved by it.

Ben wrote: "I thought this one was quietly brilliant. I was very moved by it."

Quietly brilliant is beautifully said Ben. I quite agree.

Hello, first time commenting (been lurking in the shadows for some years now). I loved this one (4,5 stars), it doesn't try to reinvent the wheel, but it's expertly executed. I felt it building a place in my heart as I read. It's gentle but packs a punch in the end. Got some early Ishiguro meets Claire Keegan vibes.

I am looking forward to revisiting this one.

Welcome to the Light! I haven't thought of either author, but they are strong references to bring. I am unsure if I want to read this again - maybe if it makes the shortlist.

Very disappointed in this one. It just felt very ordinary. Yes, the writing is decent but not especially inspiring, the story, though not original, moves along assuredly if rather slowly.
I agree with GY the ending is great and by far the best part of the novel.
For me the overwhelming feeling was of utter boredom. I didn't engage with any of the characters at any level really, they mostly were underdeveloped, a bit predictable and like the novel itself a bit dull.
It isn't a bad novel but it isn't a great one either. A solid enough 5 out of 10 for me but no higher.
It feels like a lot of novels I've read. A sort of here today gone tomorrow sort of book that is fine and I can see people enjoying it more than I did but one I will, in all probability, have completely forgotten in a couple of months.
I'd be very disappointed if this made the shortlist as one of the supposedly best 6 literary novels of the year.

This mirrors a lot of what I felt, but I ranked it a bit higher because of its narrative treatment of memories ans remembrance. It is rather on the conventional side of story telling

I'm with Cindy and Ben on this one. I would never have read it if not on the longlist but I really enjoyed it. I found Dawn to be quite realistic. I loved how the author handled memory - felt authentic to me. It was more conventional than others and, as noted by others, not as "now" as others in terms of what's top of mind these days. But for anyone who is examining/remembering/reflecting on how their life has happened, this book may well, as it did with me, strike a chord.

LindaJ^ wrote: "I'm with Cindy and Ben on this one. I would never have read it if not on the longlist but I really enjoyed it. I found Dawn to be quite realistic. I loved how the author handled memory - felt authe..."

It is not a book I would have chosen, either. And if it becomes a movie, it's not a movie I would see. I thought it was "just okay."

BookerMT2 wrote: "For me the overwhelming feeling was of utter boredom."

I am only 25% through, but so far, I'm in your camp. I am trying to stay open minded to the idea that it might get more interesting. Fingers crossed. It feels more like a travelogue than it does like storytelling.

This isn't a book I would have picked up, and it has few elements that appeal to me, other than the Trinidad setting - I do seek out books set in unfamiliar locales. I appreciated the story, the unfolding of memories, the family trauma that is more about things that aren't said than things that are. At the same time, I found the reading process fairly tedious and hence it took a while to get through. I think this one will be just outside my shortlist, along with The South. A solid book, and I see its appeal, but not Booker-worthy IMO.

That said, it wouldn't surprise or distress me if it is on the shortlist.

I loved the Trinidadian setting of this one, but the rest of the book bored me. It was ponderous. I can appreciate the author’s exploration of memory/remembrance. Those parts were compelling and well done. But the rest of the novel plodded along without any surprises at all. Even the ending felt entirely predictable to me—nicely written but still expected. I pushed myself to finish this one.

Garry wrote: "Definitely won’t be making my shortlist, although I did, eventually, find it absorbing. The protagonist is (quite understandably) suffering from almost lifelong paranoia and low self-esteem, condit..."

Oh, Ripeness! That was a terrific book. I liked Love Forms well enough, but I just don't see it being a Booker winner.

Bland - a pity too because there were salient points but glossed over superficially - I felt like I was reading a book like Everything I never told you or ... Such a Fun age.