Endorphines...mmm....
Wow!
The deed is done [though head's a bit frizzed...damn that vino] - all 17 novels read - done 'n dusted - and different beasts there were too. The official short-list was announced last night - at the booker party. Canapes and some excellent wine - rubbing shoulders with the likes of Harry Thompson and Zadie Smith and dinner etc Had some interesting chats with the judges too - especially David Sexton.
The short-list is as follows then.
----
John Banville
The Sea
- Excellent. Probably the 'most different' from the rest of the crop.
Julian Barnes
Arthur & George
- Brilliant - but in my second list.
Sebastian Barry
A Long Long Way
- Written beautifully - but didn't differ enough from other WWI horror stories, for me. The difference here, the political aspect - didn't differ enough.
Kazuo Ishiguro
Never Let Me Go
- Not on my list. I found the story listless, predictable - and questionable. Even Davis Sexton seemed to share my sentiments on how a paragraph outlining the 'inhumanity' of the characters - in terms of being full human beings - would have rounded it more. Smells medicinal - all in - with a sprinkling of Huxley. Plus - there's another story 'out there' that conflicts some. Amazingly it's the fav to win the whole caboodle.
Ali Smith
The Accidental
- Superb. A dancing, lively, vibrant tale that makes you question your own delusion.
Zadie Smith
On Beauty
- Another on my list - but six from six - I liked the Moral aspects throughout the book - funny too - but less challenging than some other texts.
----
It was a crime against god that James Meek and 'The Peoples Act of Love' wasn't there. Similar sentiments regarding 'This is the Country'. Humph.
Blessings though, that 'In the Fold' and 'All for Love' are, at this moment - being incinerated in the thousands.
Had a great time - the other judges were great fun. Chris completes his final blog at the BBC here - smashin' bloke - massive Dr.Who fan!
Kirsty Wark was also very, very nice. Chuckled at Scotlands 2-1 win the other night [whilst chuckling a great deal at the England result]. She wondered if Welsh was a hard language to learn.
Amazed me that she's also read much of the long-list. Apparently she reads lots on the sleeper flights. :o)
I *think* our interview with Kirsty and co. is on newsnight review - 10:35 tonight - BBC2. 'Bookered Out' itself will air in a few weeks - BBC4 first - then BBC2.
What an experience. Lots of pressure. Learned I'm more of an introvert than I expected. INFJ and all. Couldn't have done it without the support of Sian and the clan. Massive thanks to Harry Thompson himself for signing my copy of 'This thing of Darkness' - [duly humbled].
Back in a bit.
The deed is done [though head's a bit frizzed...damn that vino] - all 17 novels read - done 'n dusted - and different beasts there were too. The official short-list was announced last night - at the booker party. Canapes and some excellent wine - rubbing shoulders with the likes of Harry Thompson and Zadie Smith and dinner etc Had some interesting chats with the judges too - especially David Sexton.
The short-list is as follows then.
----
John Banville
The Sea
- Excellent. Probably the 'most different' from the rest of the crop.
Julian Barnes
Arthur & George
- Brilliant - but in my second list.
Sebastian Barry
A Long Long Way
- Written beautifully - but didn't differ enough from other WWI horror stories, for me. The difference here, the political aspect - didn't differ enough.
Kazuo Ishiguro
Never Let Me Go
- Not on my list. I found the story listless, predictable - and questionable. Even Davis Sexton seemed to share my sentiments on how a paragraph outlining the 'inhumanity' of the characters - in terms of being full human beings - would have rounded it more. Smells medicinal - all in - with a sprinkling of Huxley. Plus - there's another story 'out there' that conflicts some. Amazingly it's the fav to win the whole caboodle.
Ali Smith
The Accidental
- Superb. A dancing, lively, vibrant tale that makes you question your own delusion.
Zadie Smith
On Beauty
- Another on my list - but six from six - I liked the Moral aspects throughout the book - funny too - but less challenging than some other texts.
----
It was a crime against god that James Meek and 'The Peoples Act of Love' wasn't there. Similar sentiments regarding 'This is the Country'. Humph.
Blessings though, that 'In the Fold' and 'All for Love' are, at this moment - being incinerated in the thousands.
Had a great time - the other judges were great fun. Chris completes his final blog at the BBC here - smashin' bloke - massive Dr.Who fan!
Kirsty Wark was also very, very nice. Chuckled at Scotlands 2-1 win the other night [whilst chuckling a great deal at the England result]. She wondered if Welsh was a hard language to learn.
Amazed me that she's also read much of the long-list. Apparently she reads lots on the sleeper flights. :o)
I *think* our interview with Kirsty and co. is on newsnight review - 10:35 tonight - BBC2. 'Bookered Out' itself will air in a few weeks - BBC4 first - then BBC2.
What an experience. Lots of pressure. Learned I'm more of an introvert than I expected. INFJ and all. Couldn't have done it without the support of Sian and the clan. Massive thanks to Harry Thompson himself for signing my copy of 'This thing of Darkness' - [duly humbled].
Back in a bit.