Booker 2023 Shortlist Announcement- Initial Reaction!

[@josephlastname]

“and the winner is Paul…” long pause, for maximum tension

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ahahahah, oh my goodness, can you imagine? That would be hilarious! 😂

[@Sharonreadsbooks]

I would pay good money to watch the judges agree the shortlist (and indeed the long list and winner). Hoping they land on the right Paul 🐝

[@christinacampbellbooks]

Enjoyed hearing your thoughts on the shortlist, Bob. I'm most excited to read The Bee Sting ☺

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yay! I hope you like it!

[@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711]

One has the feeling that each of the five judges may have been passionately supporting one book and that it is a more personal shortlist than some years, so something like House of Doors missed out because it didn't have a particular champion.

[@purplecrayon7281]

Don't you think that Tan Twan Eng's novels read like light-weight versions of Kazuo Ishiguro's? Just me, then?

[@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711]

@@purplecrayon7281 that's interesting. I have only read two of Tan Twan Eng's and I think five of Ishiguro's. Ishiguro writes such tremendously diverse books. The Buried Giant and The Remains of the Day are so unlike each other it is hard to imagine what a pale imitation of his style would be. What did you have in mind that gave you that feeling?

[@rudy679]

Justice for Barbara! 😂 It's a serious movement now. 🤭

[@bookofdust]

I want an end of the year match the dog to the interior game from you! So many Pauls, and no Paulas!

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ahah, yes! And there are so many other dogs that never even featured! I’m losing track of which one was which too! 😂 And yes! Not a Paula in sight!

[@BookishTexan]

I don’t as surprised Pearl did t make it. I thought it was doing a lot more than many seem to have gotten.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yes! I thought it was so interesting!

[@KierTheScrivener]

I am excited for Western Lane. I just got a copy of it. I aleays love your in depth reactions

[@BobTheBookerer]

Thank you so much! I hope you like it!

[@johnnamurraycamp5100]

I was gobsmacked that I'd read 5 of 6 on the shortlist before the announcement. Of those 5, I'm still quick to acclaim Paul Murray's The Bee Sting. That said, I'm now into the 3rd chapter of Prophet Song and I am eager to read more. I'm still planning to finishing reading House of Doors (prepped by seeing Bette Davis in the film of The Letter!) and also plan to read In Ascension ... or maybe all of the longlist ~

[@BobTheBookerer]

Oh nice, well done! And I hope you like those other ones!

[@Thebookerharlot]

What a shocking shortlist. Great review, as always. You are very good at stepping back and giving a fantastic perspective. I agree with you, about noting all the books that are missing! 😮

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ahhh, thank you very much- that’s very kind of you to say!

[@bookish-bedlam]

I did watch the announcement live, and now I'm going through the reaction videos. I was really happy that both "If I Survive You" and "This Other Eden" made the list. I'm disappointed that neither "In Ascension" nor "Old Gods Time" made it. Still, what a wonderful list.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yes! I’d have loved to see those two make it, but I think as a shortlist all together it works more than I thought it would

[@joangavrilik3009]

I predicted 5 of 6. I had The House of Doors instead of Western Lane, but that was a vote from my heart (I loved that book). This list makes sense to me. It looks like each of these authors was assigned a specific writing challenge, as opposed to telling a compelling story (which seemed secondary to me). At this point my money is on The Bee Sting, but I wouldn't mind if Study for Obedience or Western Lane won. The other 3 were ambitions, but problematic for me, although I do plan to reread them. Maybe I’ll change my mind - maybe not!

[@purplecrayon7281]

Very well said. Out of the 6, I've only read the Escoffery and Harding. Just from these 2 alone, I also get the sense that the judges are rewarding style over a story with tight plotting. I haven't read The Bee Sting, but this one seems to be the exception to style over substance.

[@BookwormAdventureGirl]

An interesting shortlist for sure. I will enjoy watching all the reactions. Fingers crossed for you that Paul will win. 😊💙

[@BobTheBookerer]

Aha, yes! Which Paul will it be, let’s spin the wheel?

[@emmavd]

Thanks, Bob🌷It feels a bit like last year with The Colony. I loved both In Ascension and The House of Doors😢

[@BobTheBookerer]

I’m still thinking about The Colony!

[@CharlieBrookReads]

3 of my faves made the shortlist but yeah shocked that House of Doors is missing. These things happen though and still happy with the shortlist as a whole.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yes! That’s one I thought would almost definitely be there!

[@alley2405]

The Bee Sting is the best book I’ve read in years. It’s psychological and social insights are up there with books like Crime and Punishment. The author’s sociological identity is irrelevant. The Bee Sting is a masterpiece.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yes! So astute in its observations of character!

[@elledeq]

I was initially a bit confused about the 3 Poles on the list :) time to go to sleep is my conclusion. Thanks for your thoughts Bob!

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ahah, now I would like to see that shortlist! Thank you and sleep well!

[@gemmaware6823]

Reading Prophet song now, finding it a bit exhausting!

[@BobTheBookerer]

It’s intense, isn’t it?

[@996CRAIG]

I used to rely on the Booker Prize to discover hard-hitting and experimental authors in the past. However, in recent years, it has become somewhat lackluster. I'm curious about what other literary prizes might offer similar qualities. Do you have any recommendations?

[@BobTheBookerer]

It’s an interesting one- at times, it can be a bit safe for my liking. I think the Goldsmith, Orwell and Republic of Consciousness prizes normally scratch that itch for me!

[@ralphharris6374]

I thought ‘ old gods time’ would have been in there. Would like the Bee Sting to win but I think it’s likely to be the prophet song due to the main themes of immigration, loss of identity. I also struggled with this book mainly because it was constantly in your face (which was the intention I suppose)! Love the video. Watch most of your videos and follow the Booker annually but rarely comment. You are up there with Louis and Simon Savidge. X

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yes! I thought that book was strong and should have made it! And thank you for stopping by! That’s so kind of you to say!

[@athertonca]

I’ve read three of the six and that’s where it will stand. I find this year’s list just okay.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Aha, totally fair!

[@paulolima6407]

I've seen some people absolutely horrified by Study for obedience getting short listed. Horrified, not kidding.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Aha, oh gosh! That seems strong!

[@paulolima6407]

@@BobTheBookerer 🤣🤣🤣🤣 This is very amusing to me. Some youtubers are legit terrified of the book. And others have zero problems with it. Thank you for your answer!

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

I’ve put This Other Eden on my audio TBR. It’s the only Paul I haven’t read. I’m unsure if I’ll read A Study for Obedience/ Western Lane/If I Survive You. Sad that All The Little Bird Hearts was overlooked.☘️👋🍀🇮🇪☕️📖📚📕

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ahh, I hope you like it!

[@LarryHasOpinions]

that's a good looking dog

[@BobTheBookerer]

He’s beautiful! I love that little guy!

[@Mauricio21ish]

Bee Sting looks like the frontrunner, with Prophet Song as a potential spoiler

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yes! I think it will be one of those two!

[@jenniferlovesbooks]

Interesting and surprising shortlist. I only predicted two 😂🙈

[@BobTheBookerer]

Aha, oh gosh! I think we were all a bit wrong on this one!

[@michaeldornan7737]

Does the jury really think that Western Lane is better than the House of Doors? A very weird short list. The Bee Sting and If I can Survive You are my favourites on the list.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yeah, I guess it’s always tricky to see what their thoughts are, but I really enjoyed Western Lane a lot more than I thought it would.

[@ReadingintheDriftless]

So in a weird twist of my slow reading of the list, I have read 4.5 of the 6 with The prophet song ongoing. 🐝 Sting I was going to wait on because I had a sense that it would be the winner… no reason for any of this, just pure chance. Ironically, I have read zero of the books not short listed. Follow me to the lottery today… get in line! Lol😂

[@BobTheBookerer]

Oh wow! You’ve got skills!

[@ReadingintheDriftless]

@@BobTheBookerer That and 5 bucks gets me a cup of coffee…

[@KyWill-ji8sg]

Can’t help but feel a bit meh overall and I didn’t hate any of the books on the longlist. Prophet song is my fav and The bee sting is in second so hopefully Ireland takes it this year

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yes! Hoping for an Irish win!

[@AnnNovella]

In Ascension was good, but not ground breaking

[@BobTheBookerer]

Totally fair! It really hit me in a way I wasn’t expecting.

[@speedracer2841]

I think the prize should be re-named The Woker Prize, but then maybe not, as Bob The Wokerer would be a bad idea. The Booker is not one other literary prize. It is the main literary prize of the Commonwealth + The USA now, and that acquired its prestige by riding on the coattails of literary greats. We always enjoy a big fight, and The Booker used to provide just that when it pitied, for example, Doris Lessing against Iris Murdoch, or Julian Barnes against J.G. Ballard, who both lost to Anita Brookner. We still read or re-read past winners, past runner-ups, or the passed-ups because they still hold their literary value in spite of the Booker. The Booker should be for the big dogs, or the prodigious newcomers, and not writes, albeit talented, who are still cutting their teeth. Other book prizes' long- and shortlists would have easily accommodated two-thirds of the books that initially made the longlist. But your passion for books have spiked my interest on The Bee-Sting and Study for Obedience. I'll give then both a try. Take care, Bob.

[@janethansen9612]

No I do not like this shortlist! There seems a lack of diversity this year. As you say, more Paul’s than women.

[@cmleidi]

I read the entire longlist and in some ways, I feel like I wasted my time. I think I'm annoyed because I felt one of the shortlisted books insulted my intelligence with a lead character who had to act criminally naive to keep the plot going. Another book was offensive & dated in the portrayals of gay life. I am in the minority in responding to the books in those ways so I did predict both to be there since a number of people had the opposite reaction to mine. I'm obviously gutted for House of Doors, but my favourite longlisted books rarely make the shortlist (I'm a Fan another example). I would like just once for my top choice to make a shortlist. I'm not even asking for it to win--just to be on the shortlist.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Totally fair! And yes, lots of books I would love to have seen make it!

[@Sharonreadsbooks]

I would pay good money to watch the judges agree the shortlist (and indeed the long list and winner). Hoping they land on the right Paul 🐝

[@Sharonreadsbooks]

I would pay good money to watch the judges agree the shortlist (and indeed the long list and winner). Hoping they land on the right Paul 🐝