International Booker Shortlist 2022- Review and Predictions

[@theviciouscircle777]

the amount of love Elena Knows is receiving from the community makes me emotional!! I love this book and not just because I'm Argentinian and we are the kind of people who'll support a snail if it's Argentinian lol. I haven't read the English translation yet, but I'm going to for sure! it would be fascinating how some of the very local variant of Spanish comes across in a translation.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yes! It so deserves all that love- just one of the most brilliant books I’ve read recently! And that Argentinian pride is lovely to see! It does read as if it has a regional accent to it!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

So wonderful to listen to your thoughts on all of these and your two favourites to win! 📚 Elena Knows is so impactful! I'm reading Tomb of Sand at the moment and all the wordplay is reminding me of Ali Smith. I've still not started Books of Jacob. "At one point I almost started crying" Not sure if I'll make time for it or not. 😅😅😅😅😅

[@kiranreader]

I just started Book of Jaco and hearing "At one point I almost started crying" has got me nervous!! 😅😅

[@BobTheBookerer]

Haha, thank you! And sorry to make you nervous- if it helps, it was my own sense of feeling stupid that made me want to cry. I think I’d also had too much caffeine! 😂

[@christinacampbellbooks]

Enjoyed hearing your thoughts on all of these! ☺

[@BobTheBookerer]

Thank you so much!

[@michaeldornan7737]

Have only read Heaven, which I enjoyed but I think Tomb of Sand must be fascinating. Your review of Book of Jacob made it sound so entertaining, so your dislike of it surprised me. But loved your video. Thanks!

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yes! Tomb of Sand is such a great achievement! And I had such mixed feelings. Halfway through I was on board with Books of Jacob and then I just started getting really lost! And thank you!

[@TheTerribleman]

Hi Bob, loved the video. I'm Frank, the chair of this year's International Booker Jury (and no, I don't yet know what will win: that won't be decided until next Tuesday). Just wanted to say I've been enjoying your take on our shortlist :)

[@BobTheBookerer]

Hi Frank! Thanks so much for stopping by and for the lovely words! Thanks for choosing such a rich and varied shortlist! I’m excited for the winner announcement!

[@nadeemkhanreader]

Nice Book review. Tomb of Sand is the first hindi novel selected for the Booker Prize.. It's a historical moment for the hindi literature.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Thank you! And yes, such a great moment, and so well deserved! I hope we get more in future!

[@KDbooks]

If Cursed Bunny wins I’ll cry

[@BobTheBookerer]

Not that I want to see you suffer, but I really just want to see what song potential Cursed Bunny winning would unlock in you.

[@SM-vr8dz]

If it wins I will cry from joy!

[@amena7387]

Hello Bob ! Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts ! I really hope Elena Knows or Tomb of Sand will win . Tomb of Sand is a very personal and emotional read as my grandparents had to migrate from India to Pakistan. My grandfather met again with his family 40 later, my grandmother never returned back. They settled in Paris and had a wonderful life. We were blessed in our childhood with magical stories of India. So, finger crossed ! BTW I love your expression " the marmite book" !

[@BobTheBookerer]

Hello! Thank you! And thank you so much for sharing that- that’s beautiful, and I’m glad that they had a good life after such a difficult moment!

[@CestKevvie]

I really wanna read Cursed Bunny and Books of Jacob!!

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ahh, yes! Cursed Bunny is a ride haha, but I can see why lots of people love it!

[@Phil-p7p]

If you have been affected by Cursed Bunny, or have problems with short stories anyway, please be aware that I have set up a national help line.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ahahaha, brilliant! 😂😂🤣

[@KDbooks]

I need this on speed dial

[@drawyourbook876]

I agree, it is a great shortlist, and it is easy to pick favourites but not winners... I think anything apart from cursed bunny and probably heaven can win

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yeah! Calling a winner is tough with this one! I would be most surprised by Heaven winning, mostly as I think it has less of a unique feature in this list, whereas at least Cursed Bunny is really out there

[@kiranreader]

elena knows was so good and def one of my favorites!!

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yes! It’s so good! I’m so glad the shortlist made me prioritise it! Such an incredible book!

[@user-iu4ws6vh5s]

I too loved Elena Knows! I would be thrilled if it won. I just got my copy of Tomb of Sand and now am more eager than ever to read it. Still wending my way through The Books of Jacob. I’m not lost … yet. I admire Tokarczuk for bending each book she writes in new ways while maintaining luminous language and clarity of thought. So far, I am getting Biblical vibes from The Books in the sense that the stories bend by region and change like a river coursing through the tale. The feeling of being lost is part of not knowing the historical landscape but also a part of how the focus of the story changes because a singular man is not the focus of this religious and cultural recounting. I could be way off but that is how I am reading it.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yes! I really hope it wins, but either way, I’m glad it got a lot of love because of the shortlist. And that’s so well put about Tokarczuk- she’s such a clever and agile writer, and they all feel so different. This is less the kind of book I’d normally like, but I really enjoyed Drive Your Plough and Primeval by her. And yes! So true about how it feels biblical!

[@gowrypara3184]

Hi Bob, after watching your video I bought the Cursed Bunny , I opened the book and read read two words of the first story and I knew it would not be my cup of tea so I tip toed carefully and chose to read the story titled “ cursed bunny “ which is kind of trying to teach the world the karma of free market, curses that we can try on greedy capitalist cooperation, interesting. Story . I am very careful not to waste time on stories that cannot provide me with what I want , knowledge and entertainment, one thing I don’t want to read after reading a book is vomit for the rest of the week 😅 thank you for your great reviews. 💐

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ahhh, totally fair! It is one of those books that I think is very divisive- lots of people seem to love it, but beyond those first two stories, I couldn’t really engage with it properly.

[@GemofBooks]

Elena Knows and Tombs of Sand are definitely the two that most appeal to me. Great round up matey 👍🏻

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yes! I think you’ll like them both a lot! And thank you!

[@incandenzabookclub]

I'm usually pretty late for this kind of award things so this video is really helpful so I can choose what I want to read in the future, despite who wins. Actually I prefer your choices 'cause I think it's more personal and I appreciate your taste. The only one I've read is Elena Knows and I loved it so I want it to win but you know...I'm argentinian. Of the other four I think I'm really going to connect with Tomb of Sand 'cause I'm interested too in the novel form. Also A New Name looks pretty interesting thematically for me, and maybe I'll read the first couple of stories from Cursed Bunny, they sound very intriguing. Thank you for the video. Hugs :)

[@BobTheBookerer]

Haha, thank you! And Elena Knows is so deserving of the win, but even if it doesn’t, I’m delighted it made it to the shortlist! And Tomb of Sand is so cool! It’s just a joy to be surrounded by so many great books! Hugs right back at you!

[@josmith5992]

Kinda hoping The Books of Jacob doesn’t win as Olga Tokarczuk has had all the accolades and I don’t think it’s the best book on here- I’m with you on Elena Knows and Tomb of Sand. This is the first shortlist I’ve ever read of any prize - or really felt compelled to and I think I lucked out on how good it is. I would have liked The Book of Mother to be on there but that seems to be quite a divisive one too.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Haha, she has won a lot of prizes, but she’s such a strong author. And totally fair- I really want to read The Book of Mother! That one really sounds like something I’d love!

[@SM-vr8dz]

I DNF-d the Jon Fosse book. It wasn’t about the punctuation that bothered me, and I liked the surreal aspects of memory as a rhythmic loop, but I put it down n just feel no compunction to pick it up. I am still waiting on my copy of Tomb of Sand. But have read all the others, sorta, besides Fosse. Cursed Bunny is my pick for the win, but I think it will likely be Fosse. I loved the political undertones in the stories and the sheer range of genres. Possibly my best read of the year so far.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ahhh, totally fair! Fosse’s book is one of those ones where I was surprised by how many people liked it, as it’s something I thought wouldn’t have as broad an appeal! Oh interesting! I was so in love with the first two stories of Cursed Bunny and really thought it would be a favourite, but I absolutely see why people love it!

[@charlottemolloy]

I would like tomb of sand to win but I'm expecting to see books of Jacob win (and would be happy if it did!)

[@BobTheBookerer]

Nice! And yeah, I can see either winning and would be pretty happy either way (but I would love to see it be Tomb of Sand!)

[@SpringboardThought]

When the onslaught of holds has been dealt with I’ll try Tomb of Sand and Elena Knows for sure. So far I’ve only read Books of Jacob, but I think it’s p goooood lol I wouldn’t be surprised if it won…

[@BobTheBookerer]

Haha, nice! Good luck! And yeah, I can see it winning, and it deserves it, but just not my personal pick.

[@mpushify]

Am still trudging through the Book of Jacobs but feel a DNF coming soon. Am looking forward to reading Elena Knows and Tomb of Sand. I am currently reading Jon Fosse's Scenes From Childhood, so will soon get to The Other Name and The New Name. I don't think am gonna get to Cursed Rabbit because it doesn't seem like something I would enjoy. Was underwhelmed by Heaven🌻

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ahhh, totally fair. It’s a lot! Ooh, I’m intrigued by Fosse’s other work- how is Scenes from Childhood?

[@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711]

I have been looking forward to this video. I haven't read any of the six yet so you will help me prioritise. I think you will tell me Elena Knows should be the first.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Thank you! Haha, the pressure! I think Elena Knows is a good opening one though, and it’s short! That said, it might ruin the rest of the list for you depending on how much you like it!

[@renepierre9074]

Us Dutchies just made it in on a technicality ;) This is such a great idea! I'd love to join you on a dutch book and have some suggestions if you need some. I've recently come in to some dutch, bookish family history and so have been on the hunt for as much dutch literature as I can find (some are still on their way to me) so if you need some suggestions and don't mind some company I'd love to join you!

[@BobTheBookerer]

Haha, yes! Although if I had my way, The Netherlands would have been top 5 at the very least! I want to learn Dutch just because of that song! But yes please on a Dutch book buddyread and any suggestions! Ooh, that sounds so cool about the family history!

[@renepierre9074]

@@BobTheBookerer Oh this was meant for your newest video! It must have finished and auto-played the next one without me realizing haha! I will post a list of what I'm planning to read in the comments of the correct video ;)

[@BobTheBookerer]

@@renepierre9074 haha, no worries! I somehow entirely missed that too and just replied as normal! 😂

[@soniajohnson8878]

Only read BoJ and ToS, may read Elena Knows at some point. No interest in others, even if they win. Would like ToS to win, but would understand if BoJ won. Love the sideboard.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Nice! And it’s such a fun mix, normally I have one or two I really love, but I’d be happy with almost all of them winning.

[@athertonca]

I don’t think Cursed Bunny and Tomb of Sand have been published in the U.S. yet. I have Elena Knows on hold at the library-I am keen on this one. Also have a hold on A New Name. I generally prefer a bit more punctuation in my books, but we’ll see. I read Heaven and was quite affected by it, even though it’s far from my usual reading fare. I DNF’d Books of Jakob-nothing wrong with it, it just wasn’t for me. I didn’t read any from the longlist that didn’t make it through.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Oh right! I hope they get there soon! And that’s fair about Fosse. I was surprised so many people liked it, including myself! I’m intrigued to go back through the longlist- you sometimes get some really interesting ones that didn’t make it!

[@lexicon50505]

So I've read Elena Knows, Heaven, and Cursed Bunny. I am about a third into Tomb and halfway through Jacob. At this point, I was more moved by the shorter novels, although I am getting into the pacing of Tomb and may grow to love it. I don't think Jacob wins (OT has won, the book is a bit of a slog and although an achievement maybe not one described as a joy to read and that is an issue when considering the judges reread these). I think Elena wins, partly because it's time for a Latin American book, but also because it really is a wonderfully plotted yet substantial novel and would find enthusiastic and wide audiences. Of the longlisted books I am sad didn't make it, I really like The Book of Mother

[@BobTheBookerer]

Oh nice! Yes, I think the pacing of Tomb of Sand really sneaks up on you- it’s a stunning read, I think. Oh yes, good point- those judges will have read Books of Jacob three times now! Great if you love it, maybe less so if not 😂 I would love to see Elena Knows takes it- such an unexpected delight of a book. And Book of Mother is one a few people have mentioned as liking- when the longlist came out, it was one of the ones I was most excited for.

[@LarryHasOpinions]

i havent followed the prize closely so its nice to get a summary :-) (still poor olga though, she's still crying)

[@BobTheBookerer]

Thank you! And I’m sure she’s being consoled by the Nobel Prize on her shelf 😂

[@curioushmm9027]

just ordered elena knows and it's about time..i remain skeptical that the problem with the books of jacob is yours and not the authors...i'm an american with sketchy knowledge of british history and i loved wolf hall..i was happy reading it as if it was entirely fictiious.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Oh nice! I hope you enjoy it! And thank you- I think it just maybe wasn’t my thing!

[@GunpowderFictionPlot]

I haven't followed this prize and I've only read Heaven, which didn't work for me; but I would be surprised if The Book of Jacob didn't win. Great set of reviews, the poo monster is calling to me, however Elena Knows and The Book of Sand sound like much safer books.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ahh, totally fair! And I think BoJ has a great chance and is well deserved- definitely a big achievement. Thank you! Haha, that story is WILD. But I think you might enjoy some of them.