Reviewing the Booker Prize 2023 (spoiler-free) | Part 3

[@Evendale12]

You're fast becoming one of my favorite BookTube reviewers, Ben! You spend just enough time on each review -- not too long, not too short, and everything you say is thoughtful and relevant to what I want to know. Great job!

[@benreadsgood]

What a lovely comment - thank you so much! You've made my day 😊

[@cecilialau_]

Getting very exciting that the shortlist is incoming. What a task you’ve taken on and done so bloomin’ great at, Ben! 🙌🏼🥰

[@benreadsgood]

Thanks - I wasn't sure I'd actually get through them all! So PUMPED for the shortlist announcement. It's so close!

[@christelvanzyl5246]

Dear Ben Your reading is impressive! Well done on covering so much ground! I read In Ascension twice and it was more meaningful the second time. I still wish I could discuss it on a forum where spoilers are not a problem and everyone has read the book. I have a few questions. The ending baffled me at first, but eventually the penny dropped and it made sense. Lightbulb moment.😅 I also loved Project Hail Mary and on audiobook it is FANTASTIC because of you-know-who. I enjoyed Project Hail Mary more than In Ascension, but In Ascension stayed with me longer and really made me think about life and the origins of it all. I found Leigh to be a bit of an unreliable narrator (which is not a problem, but an added layer) and I still don't know if I should believe her or her sister's take on their home life. I liked the dramatic shift that happens in the fifth section (which you were not overly pleased with). I did not enjoy The House of Doors as much as I thought I would. (I found the part that is set in Beaufort West, South Africa, interesting because I am a South African.) I read the short story by Maughan to make sure I got the best out of the novel. I would not vote for House of Doors to win, but I guess it will be on the shortlist. I am planning to listen to The Bee Sting next.🐝 Thank you for your informative videos. I know it is hard work and I know you have a day job too. Please know that somewhere out there are people who watch their phones for your latest videos and who enjoy your views. Thank you for the effort you put in.

[@benreadsgood]

Thank you so much! It has been a real effort, but I have definitely enjoyed the experience. Glad In Ascension worked for you, and so interesting that it was more meaningful second time around! I imagine there are lots of crumbs littered through the book that make the ending even more meaningful. I'm so curious about the Project Hail Mary audio and how they did it! Enjoy The Bee Sting - I thought it was absolutely brilliant. And thank you so much for the kind words. That's so nice to hear 🙏

[@thisisveryannoying]

Reading the Bee Sting now. You made me even more excited about the ending.

[@benreadsgood]

You're either going to love it, or your KZbin handle will be an accurate description of it 😂 Fingers crossed it works for you!

[@thisisveryannoying]

@@benreadsgoodthere is a funny story behind my handle. I was setting up an account ages ago and whatever handle I tried was taken. I was getting annoyed and typed in Thisisannoying - and it was taken, too! That's how I ended up with Thisisveryannoying :)

[@benreadsgood]

Haha that’s a great origin story!

[@merrilywereadalong5367]

Oh Ben when I tell you I JUMPED to that Bee Sting time stamp to hear your reaction (especially re: the ending!!) 😂😂 so glad you're on the Murray Mobile and enjoyed as much as I did. Not that I've read a single other book on the longlist or have any authority to make a statement like this but I hope it goes all the way 🐝

[@benreadsgood]

I'm experiencing Murray mania!!! It was so good. Definitely hope to see it on the shortlist, and I'll be reading Skippy Dies at some point for sure.

[@joangavrilik3009]

Thanks Ben - I always enjoy your insights! Study for Obedience, The House of Doors, and The Bee Sting are on the top of my shortlist (and I loved the ending). In Ascension left me kind of cold and bored.

[@benreadsgood]

Thanks so much 🙏 Glad you're on team love it for the ending of The Bee Sting. Can understand In Ascension leaving some folks cold - it's definitely not warm prose, but it worked for me.

[@lisaedwards8505]

I've been waiting for the shortlist announcement before diving in to any of these books. But being a science nerd (not so much sci-fi though...) I'm very intrigued by In Ascension. Thank you as always for your thoughtful reviews, Ben!

[@benreadsgood]

Thanks so much for watching 🙌 In Ascension is definitely full of enjoyable science stuff, without being super sci-fi. Could be worth trying a chapter and seeing how you feel (although it starts more with a potted family history).

[@emmavd]

Thanks, Ben🌷I’ve only read In Ascension and The House of Doors from the longlist, and … loved them! I was happily surprised by the endings of both. For me they’re definitely shortlist material. I’m planning to read Tan Twan Eng’s back catalogue, as I found THoD very atmospheric, with all the characters feeling very real. I actually wouldn’t mind if it won the Booker…😊📚

[@benreadsgood]

Can definitely see both of those making it! I need to go back and read some of Tan's previous novels as well. I'm pretty sure I've got one of them lurking on my shelves somewhere 👀

[@lorrainefoord7384]

Excellent reviews Ben! I've read Old God's Time and A Spell of Good Things. Your review made me want to read The Bee Sting.

[@benreadsgood]

Thanks Lorraine 🙌 Would definitely recommend The Bee Sting - really surprised me how much I enjoyed it.

[@janethansen9612]

I found myself skimming over the sciency bits in the second half of In Ascension which is not a great reading experience, but I did enjoy the rest of the book and it was one of the more in depth novels on the longlist. I've now read 9 and a bit books, but so far I'm sticking with Prophet Song, The House of Doors, Spell of Good Things and In Old Gods Time for the shortlist. I'd like to see All the Little Bird Hearts but not sure if it will be included.

[@benreadsgood]

Glad you enjoyed it despite the bits that were less to your taste. Hopefully worth the effort 😅 Those are pretty fair picks - I think they've got a good chance of making it. I *think* I'd be surprised if Bird-Hearts makes it, but this year has been full of surprises!

[@rororeads]

Great work as always Ben!

[@benreadsgood]

Thanks dude! On the home straight with the final books, and then I am going to start checking out everyone's ranking videos 👀

[@Tetsujin-28]

Ben's Chicken and Mushroom reviews. I have a hold on The Bee Sting. Great culinary content.

[@benreadsgood]

I'm like 99% sure they'll use that quote on the paperback's blurb 😂

[@seamusgaelic6447]

Loved Skippy Dies and so look forward to reading The Bee Sting.

[@benreadsgood]

The Bee Sting is so good! I'm definitely going to read Skippy Dies.

[@seamusgaelic6447]

@@benreadsgood Now reading The Bee Sting. As you listened to the audio book version, I wonder if you're aware of how Paul Murray wrote the Imelda section of the book sans all punctuation! Thankfully, he at least uses traditional capitalization which at least lets the reader know when a new sentence begins. But, for compound sentences, one has to basically use their own sense of deduction in deciding where a comma belongs. It's really an odd choice of stylistic approach, I must say, but I think it is also genius, because of the fact it adds a visceral level of tension for the reader. Mind you, this is not stream-of-consciousness writing. The prose is much more traditional in expression, but the absence of punctation does cause one to slow their reading down so as not to stumble in one's reading comprehension.

[@svea7175]

I'm currently reading In Ascension, and while it's not really the type of sci-fi I usually enjoy, I'm having a great time. Leigh is such an interesting character to follow, and the relationship she has with her sister already made me cry while I was less than 50 pages into the book haha. I also have The Bee Sting, The House of Doors and Old God's Time on my shelves and am looking forward to getting to them soon. Thanks for the reviews!

[@benreadsgood]

So glad you are enjoying it! I think it goes in quite an interesting direction with the sister, so I hope you'll get even more of what you're enjoying. Would definitely recommend prioritising The Bee Sting. It's a banger!

[@KyWill-ji8sg]

Only got prophet song left from the longlist. Am a bit mixed on In Ascension thought it would be my favourite but I had problems with it overall. I weirdly like a study for obedience but not sure it’s the best book of the year

[@benreadsgood]

Glad you enjoyed Study for Obedience, I think I just went into it with completely the wrong expectations. Need to give it another go if it makes the shortlist. Enjoy Prophet Song - I thought it was fantastic.

[@CharlieBrookReads]

Re The Beesting I didn’t like the ending as much as the whole book… still a fave though. Great to hear your thoughts on these. I still have 3 left to read from the Booker and I will get to them but not rushing.

[@benreadsgood]

Noooo you're team #hateit for The Bee Sting's ending??? I knew it would be divisive but I was hoping you'd be on the same side as me 😂

[@CharlieBrookReads]

@@benreadsgood I didn’t HATE the ending just I didn’t like the inclusion of the extra voices & just unsure about my feelings about the rest of it.😉

[@benreadsgood]

@@CharlieBrookReads ok we can be friends again 😂

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

I’ve only read The Bee Sting All The Little Bird Hearts I’d love to see on shortlist. But my winner is Prophets Song ☘️👋☕️🍀📖🇮🇪📕📚💐

[@benreadsgood]

I think I might be with you on that - Prophet Song was an absolutely terrifying ride, and I really enjoyed my time with it.

[@spexi513]

📖🪱💚

[@StephanieP1901]

Ugh I wish I had more time to read. As for the homophobia in HoD, I felt like it was kind of a cheap way to introduce Maugham’s sexuality. I get that it was in keeping with the time, but it could have been handled more artfully by such a talented writer. It honestly made me wonder if Tan himself is homophobic, and I don’t like wondering about whether an author is projecting their own views into a character.

[@benreadsgood]

That's an interesting point of view on it - hadn't thought of that! I'd like to hope Tan isn't homophobic himself (I feel like he probably would have steered clear of this story if he was... or at least left out the steamier scenes!) but you're right it is a little bit cheap. Especially for writer of his talents. Thanks for watching 🙏

[@_scr_dvndr_8844]

Worth noting that it isn’t just in keeping with the time, but with modern day as well: it is still illegal to be gay in Malaysia. I found that the homophobia elevated the story because it is one of Lesley’s first flaws indicated, and it makes her more human and nuanced (I think her homophobia is driven by jealousy, but this is up for debate). Overall, definitely a contentious part of the novel, so I can agree with you in that regard.

[@StephanieP1901]

@@_scr_dvndr_8844 Very good point. It also does show some growth in Lesley, maybe a tiny smidge, even if it isn't articulated in a very overt way. Because the night when she and Willie swam with the bioluminescent organisms demonstrated their bond. And in the end, she trusted him more than anyone. And she didn't abandon Robert; she moved with him (even if only because Arthur was done) and took care of him. I'm not saying it's enough, but maybe Tan was just being very subtle in his portrayal of Lesley's growth.

[@_scr_dvndr_8844]

@@StephanieP1901totally agree! Also, her inviting Peter Ong to the dinner party seems so show a shift away from homophobia, although you’re right, it’s definitely not explicit.

[@jmmoore]

I think there is a danger in missing the point here. It is a portrayal of 1920s colonial Malaya and highlights the reality - warts and all. A character who challenged the attitudes from a 2020s perspective would destroy the novel. That work the author leaves to the reader. WSM is also used to show that these attitudes also existed in Britain and I felt this was opening up the opportunity for the reader to make this links between colonialism and current anti-gay laws in Malaysia. As to the privileging of the white perspective, Tan is a Malay and surely it is up to him to chose how he engages with his country’s history?

[@terileekline]

Study of Obedience demands and benefits from multiple reads. In my opinion, a work of genius and would be very happy to see it win

[@benreadsgood]

I'll have to give it another go, especially now it's won the Giller Prize. I think I went in with the wrong expectations.

[@terileekline]

@@benreadsgood Yes, you must erase any preconceptions before you begin .. it is not like other stories