The Mookse and the Gripes discussion

The shortlist has just been announced.

Helm by Sarah Hall (Faber & Faber)
The Expansion Project by Ben Pester (Granta Books)
We Pretty Pieces of Flesh by Colwill Brown (Chatto & Windus)
We Live Here Now by C.D. Rose (Melville House)
The Catch by Yrsa Daley-Ward (Merky Books)
Nova Scotia House by Charlie Porter (Particular Books)

I think all of these except the Pester are the correct physical editions - as far as I can see there is only a Kindle edition of that one here but it seems to have the ISBN for the paper book, which makes me think the Amazon bots have messed things up again.

Will create book threads shortly.

Unsurprisingly I have read none of these.

Really happy with this list.

I’ve read two: We Pretty Pieces of Flesh (which I loved) and Nova Scotia House (which I didn’t love, but can see why it’s here).

Helm and The Expansion Project are both on my bedside table waiting to be read.

And I was looking at We Live Here Now in a bookshop just today, so I think I might pop back and get it tomorrow.

Yes I think it’s a great list.

Helm and We Pretty Things of Flesh really should have made the Barker

I liked Expansion Project which I deliberately read in September thinking it might make the Goldsmith and just formulating thoughts on The Catch as I literally read it this week.

I was very aware of the other two - both on Listopia.

And as I posted elsewhere quite some week for Colwill Brown - she already this week was shortlisted for the Centre For Fiction First Novel Prize and won the BBC short story prize (with a chapter from the novel)

OK, I think everything is in place now, so I am signing off for the day to get some reading done.

I'm starting The Expansion Project tomorrow. Hope to get the others soon.

Thanks as always Hugh. We massively appreciate your efforts.

Go Porter, go! It's the queer novel of the year. The Pester's also good, but heart wants what it wants.

it's a shame how hard it is to get these books here! We pretty pieces of Flesh is already on my to read, and I think I'll order Porter and Pester. Very intriguing list.

Looks a great list. I had 5 of the 6 on my Listopia predictions - The Catch was one I’d missed.

I have only read 2 so far.

While I am delighted to see Pester and CD Rose’s novels, in both cases, and I say that as someone who generally prefers the novel form, I would recommend their previous short story collections probably above these. Am I In the Right Place and Walter Benjamin Stares at the Sea.

I do wish the Goldsmiths allowed short stories, not least as when stretching genres the story collection/novel boundary can blur.

What’s missed out?

Goldsmiths tends to like revisiting past authors (or judges) but all of following didn’t make it: Universality; Jesus Christ Kinski, TonyInterruptor, One Boat and A New New Me.

At least first three of those were strong contenders

No Booker books either - always used to be one although I think less in recent years.

Others - Big Kiss Bye Bye (but was it entered in time?); Notre Dame is Burning; Muckle Flugga and Spit are all ones that would not have surprised me.

TonyInterruptor was the first one that came to mind, but I also wouldn’t have been surprised to see Issa Quincy’s Absence. Wasn’t entirely successful for me but does some interesting stuff with memory and second/third hand stories.

Both of those plus the Pester are from Granta though. I don’t know what kind of publisher limits the Goldsmiths has.

Kate Potter’s The Absolutes is another one that I thought might have an outside shot. Haven’t read it yet but it’s got a bit of a Max Porter vibe to the typesetting.

This is a great shortlist! I've got Nova Scotia House on audio. I'm in position 1 in my library for Helm and We Pretty (that I did not have time to finish before returning it).

Ben wrote: "I also wouldn’t have been surprised to see Issa Quincy’s Absence. Wasn’t entirely successful for me but does some interesting stuff with memory and second/third hand stories.

Both of those plus the Pester are from Granta though. I don’t know what kind of publisher limits the Goldsmiths has.

Kate Potter’s The Absolutes is another one that I thought might have an outside shot"

Thanks for the mention of those two - both look interesting.

On the publishers There is no limit to the number of titles that may be entered by a publisher or bona fide imprint, provided the works entered meet all other entry requirements

Doesn't mean though that judges might not think 'hang on we've got 3 Granta books'

Thanks for doing this Hugh, much appreciated.

I've already read Helm and We Pretty Pieces of Flesh, both of which are very worthy of inclusion.

I was a bit late ordering as I was away for a few days earlier in the week, but the whole shortlist has just arrived in one box, so I'm looking forward to catching up soon.

I'm still struggling to get We Pretty Pieces. Gumble promised it to me months ago but keeps 'forgetting it'; Amazon don't have it; and Awesome Books seems to be one of those where the delivery is rather slower than advertised. So still waiting on that one

Paul wrote: "I'm still struggling to get We Pretty Pieces. Gumble promised it to me months ago but keeps 'forgetting it'; Amazon don't have it; and Awesome Books seems to be one of those where the delivery is r..."

I bought my copy months ago, but I've checked just now and it's still there on Amazon.