‘Study for Obedience’ by Sarah Bernstein- 2023 Booker Prize Longlist Review (Mostly Spoiler-Free)

[@lindysmagpiereads]

Congratulations on finishing the longlist! I agree that the mysteriousness of Study for Obedience is one of its strengths. I’m delighted that it’s also been longlisted for the Giller prize.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Thank you! And yes, it really drew me in with how mysterious it was, and I’m so glad to see the Giller also giving it some love!

[@bookofdust]

Bob knows all the coolest dogs of the UK.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ahahah, they have been wonderful company!

[@ameliareads589]

I just finished it. Omg, what a book. This is definitely one to reread. And how clever to use this kind of prose for a book in which the main character isn't able to speak the language of the place where she is placed. So tough to review this book, it is really something else.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yes! I love it when the form and function of language works together like this in a book- it’s hard to imagine this book working as well if it was about a different situation or if it was told in plainer, more general language.

[@terileekline]

Excellent review.. just finished the book today (Nov 7)

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

Bob doesn’t so much have a cosy reading nook. More a series of reading travel log. Beautiful interiors. I think it’s like booktube version of Homes & Gardens. Anyway , I’m jealous of his reading locations & doggy company.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ahah, thank you! I feel very lucky to be bouncing around some very nice flats!

[@terileekline]

Moved you up on my list of Book Tubers

[@BobTheBookerer]

Oh thank you!

[@andreluissoriano]

Ohhh. Eric DNF’d this but you found it very engaging and thought-provoking. Hmm. Who do I trust? 😂

[@BobTheBookerer]

Aha! Eric and I tend to agree on most books, so when we don’t, I feel slightly adrift! 😂

[@BookwormAdventureGirl]

This is on the Giller longlist too so I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it. 😊💙

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ooh, very glad to hear it! It deserves a bit more love, I think!

[@nickymaggio1909]

one of my favorites on the longlist! I'm excited to eventually re-read it

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ooh, glad to hear it! Yes! I think it’d be incredibly strong on a re-read- so rich and tense!

[@petrinablair1999]

Loved this but needed to read it twice as the ending threw me but on a second reading all much clearer. It needed slow and attentive reading ..I think it is a tale of revenge and the dead yellow bird on the cover , a canary perhaps means all is not well in our modern world now. Powerful stuff .

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yes, I can totally see that! And yes, it really takes getting into its rhythms! And good point- I’d not thought about the cover much, but that’s a great point!

[@joangavrilik3009]

Loved it - very special book!

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yes! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dqan7372]

Back to being intrigued by this book. Think I'll have to check it out for myself.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yay! I hope you like it if you do!

[@charlottemolloy]

I loved it too!

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yay! Glad to hear it!

[@drzempf1]

I’m realizing that a reader’s experience of this book may vary considerably, depending if she reads it in book form or on Kindle. My Kindle reading so far lacks any of this “intimidation” factor that apparently comes through in the print version; the read is smooth, fluid, with no issues on long paragraphs etc. In fact, I’m whipping through this book at a much faster pace than my earlier Booker reads. So far, Bernstein’s writing is very interesting, snake-y (lots and lots of commas), colloquial and old-timey English together, disarming. She has a distinctive voice.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ahh, that’s interesting about the kindle version! And glad you’re liking it! ‘Snake-y’ is so accurate for this book!

[@drzempf1]

@@BobTheBookerer Yes, I think the Kindle format conforms what could look like an intimidating text on paper into a visually friendlier mode. I imagine it’s true of a magnificent but truly intimidating behemoth like SOLENOID, for example.

[@BobTheBookerer]

@@drzempf1 I’m hoping to read Solenoid soon, so that’s useful to know!

[@drzempf1]

@@BobTheBookerer Oh, you’re in for a major experience. Truly one of the great novels of this era. Because it was published in English in the US, it wasn’t eligible for the Intl Booker. If it had a UK publisher (and why doesn’t it?), it would’ve been the runaway choice. No question.

[@BobTheBookerer]

@@drzempf1 ahhhhh, that makes me very excited to hear! Thanks! And damn, that’s frustrating to hear!

[@Jack-xi8ji]

I realised half way through that the narrator is fact totally unreliable, and when you have that spin in your head the novel really comes alive. I think it's a work of genius in which you have to figure out the true plot for yourself; which immerses you to the point that you find yourself clinging to every word of every procrastinated sentence.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Sorry for the late reply, but yes! I like that reading a lot- it makes her perceptions feel more interesting, I think!

[@georgiacompton7427]

I think she's bonkers. I think she deliberately turns people against her, even though 'loners', 'outsiders' and the 'isolated' are often considered suspicious and untrustworthy. I haven't finished it because having health issues and feel, I'll finish when in a better frame of mind. When I started it, thought it was worth a re-read; even contemplated highlighting passages. For me, it's 'a study for disobedience'. I like the idea of exploring the notion of 'the other', however, I'm not comfortable that she seems resigned and is comfortable with it.

[@BobTheBookerer]

She’s such a complex character, and I agree with what you’re saying about the ‘disobedience’ side of things!

[@terileekline]

Do you have a favorite to win the Booker?

[@BobTheBookerer]

Probably The Bee Sting as a personal favourite, but I think Prophet Song will take it!

[@bmaei5]

Weeks later I am still thinking about this book. Is it possible, especially since our protagonist does not speak the language, that she interprets other people’s actions incorrectly? Can you be hyper-vigilant and predisposed to think the worst of others? I am asking this as a brown woman, who exclusively wears traditional clothing, and living abroad. This is also in no way to minimize the personal and historical prejudices and sufferings hinted at in the novel.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yes! I think that’s a great point! I wondered that too- I feel like part of her inner process in the book is maybe also reading things into her surroundings that may or may not be true (that sort of threat response where your hyper vigilance is protective but also limiting). Especially the scene where she goes to sign up for a gardening course.

[@rudy679]

Interesting. Most people hated this book. It's £6.99 on Amazon atm. Should I? 🤔🙃

[@BobTheBookerer]

It’s a fairly divisive one in some ways, which is maybe to be expected with a slightly more meandering narrative style, but it reminded me a little of A Passage North, if that helps?

[@curioushmm9027]

signing off pre-almost-spoilers..............

[@BobTheBookerer]

Thanks for stopping by!

[@spexi513]

📖 🪱 💚

[@sambell2743]

You do a lot of dog sitting 😅

[@rudy679]

I hope they pay him well. 😅

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ahah, it’s become a much bigger part of my life than I’d expected, but I’m definitely not complaining- it’s great!

[@sambell2743]

@@BobTheBookerer I love dogs, so I definitely understand the appeal. 😊