The Booker Prize Longlist for 2023 - Reaction

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0:00 the Booker Prize longlist
1:00 thoughts on prize lists
3:00 contemporary vs classic books
8:00 about this year's longlist
10:15 who are this year's judges?
14:00 reacting to the longlist
14:20 The House of Doors
17:00 The Bee Sting
19:19 Western Lane
20:20 In Ascension
21:20 Prophet Song
23:02 All the Little Bird-Hearts
23:12 Pearl
25:27 This Other Eden
27:17 How to Build a Boat
28:17 If I Survive You
29:31 Study for Obedience
30:30 Old God's Time
31:29 A Spell of Good Things
32:38 what will make the shortlist?
33:20 my personal favourite book
33:40 what readers think of the Booker
36:00 love for Tan Twan Eng
37:40 knowing Martin MacInnes
38:45 the value of prize lists
40:00 on never-ending TBR lists
41:19 the Irish writers on the list
41:45 disillusioned with the Booker?
44:10 attempting to read the longlist
45:45 what is the judging criteria?
46:40 posterity as most accurate prize
48:00 on reading other prizes
49:19 reading the best of the best
50:00 the Nobel Prize for Literature
51:04 thinking about the shortlist
51:28 on quality over quantity
54:00 expressing my gratitude for you
53:20 your thoughts on the longlist?
54:40 works we're reading at the book club
56:00 thank you and happy reading

[@theresaemig2328]

I've started following the Women's Prize for Fiction & the Booker Prize & try to read as many of their long lists as I can. Through those lists I have found books that I otherwise would probably never have discovered. Two of my favorite reads for 2023 came from the Women's Prize long list. Sadly, neither made it to the short list, but I still think of them regularly & recommend them to anyone who'll listen. (In that vein, if you haven't read Wandering Souls by Cecile Pin or Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff, they're wonderful!) I want to read How to Build a Boat, Pearl, House of Doors, & Study for Obedience from the Booker Dozen. I have already read Old God's Time & This Other Eden.

[@pablogamberomasson-qg2px]

I just started reading Hamlet because of you. Couldn't be more gratefully Ben! It has been a truly hard experience since English is not my first language, yet really rewarding. Keep on the hard work and making the world a better place to live in. Greetings from Spain!

[@MeinungMann]

What should you start reading first of Shakespeare, especially if it's not your first language?

[@pablogamberomasson-qg2px]

I'm certainly not an expert on that matter, but I would suggest starting with one of his plays. As far as I understand, his first works do not display the mastery of the kraft that his later works do. Some people even consider them to be straight bad. Having said that, I would recommend you choose the one that you feel more inclined to. Oh, and expect a slow paced read, since you'll have to grapple with mostly archaic language. To deal with that, I combine guides one can find on the internet and chat GPT (as weird as that sounds). I hope that my replied has provided some insight on your question! To the people out there, feel free to leave other comments if you think otherwise or want to expand on what I just said!

[@MeinungMann]

@@pablogamberomasson-qg2px thanks. And how do you use chat GPT to help you read Shakespeare?

[@markd964]

@@MeinungMannperhaps try Romeo and Juliet, beautiful romance and love, the most common themes across all languages.

[@pablogamberomasson-qg2px]

Basically, to expand on the oeuvre. Since it's public domain, I first ask chat gpt to write the whole scene. Then, whenever I want to expand or go down a rabbit whole on a certain idea displayed on the text (this could be in order to know more about the historical context of the play, to learn more about particular locations, to have a different perspective on certain passages or just in order to check if my assumptions on what particular vocabulary or sentences that have just been said are more or less accurate). Needless to say, it's not a flawless system as it will often provide you with nonsensical answers. I have my own copy of Hamlet and I'm writing all over it with whatever comes to mind.

[@juliasampaio3364]

generalizations are tricky but I have to say, rarely a contemporary book from these kinds of lists spark my interest. A great exception though was Claire Keegan's Small Things Like These, I adored it! and I will check out Saunders book, looks like my type of thing

[@user-pg4xn5uo3f]

Hello, Benjamin ! I'm really impressed by your ability to rouse our interest in reading serious books. As in my case, I used to read a lot, so to say "'swallowed books'', then there was a period I almost hated them, now I feel a revived attraction to some of those masterpieces due to you videos.

[@kirillpushkin]

Hello. As for the Russian literature, I recommend to read “The silent Don” by Mikhail Sholohov, “The life of Klim Samgin” by Maxim Gorky, “What is to be done” by Chernishevsky, and “Dead Souls” which is a masterpiece by Nikolai Gogol. I am surprised that Gogol did not make to the list of 50 best books that have ever been written.

[@tamaragrottker7677]

I don't really understand those people who have a hard time after winning a lottery. I am certain that it would afford me more time to read more books! I was almost at the end of part one of Don Quixote when I had to go back to work. The Booker list is interesting. I will have to dig a little deeper into the list before I can read any one.Your podcasts certainly have inspired me to read!

[@ruefalls]

I mostly read classics too and think it's very hard to find contemporary books that I'd enjoy. Thank you for the video! It was interesting. Hope you keep making videos of this kind where you talk about contemporary literature.

[@Missmurrium]

I love listening to your videos. It has really inspired me to get back to Classical literature. I got my English Lit degree ten years ago but I still have a love for it even if I haven't picked one up in a long time. Thank you for reawakening my passions.

[@zaccohen8666]

When your videos appear they invariably end up being the highlight of the day. When the classics can occupy ones attention for many years and the list keeps on growing with these new tittles etc, one often ends up feeling overwhelmed!

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much, Zac :) That makes me so happy to hear! I completely relate to feeling overwhelmed with the amount of books you want to read. Embracing curation helped me to combat that anxiety. Picking just 4-6 great books per year that you want to read. Anything on top of that is a nice bonus!

[@rodneyadderton1077]

I will have to read at least six hours a day and live to be a hundred to finish my list. 😂

[@pdcasablanca]

It's Christmas every time you upload a new video, thank you Ben! Just wanted you to know that I'm currently vacationing in Middlemarch, and it's wonderful! Dorothea said hi, by the way.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much, Jonas! It's so wonderful to hear from you over in my favourite provincial town :) I miss Middlemarch, especially Dorothea, and really must return myself soon!!

[@smilagan7816]

"This Other Eden" and "A Spell of Good Things" are both incredible

[@leonismint]

I came across your channel a while ago but only just recently subscribed, after binging a ton of your videos I have to say your channel might be the absolute best channel for lovers of serious literature. I have to say as well, the fact that you often do these longer format videos has to be commended as the work that has to go into curating an hour long video is not only immensely hard work, it's very difficult to keep any sense of upload schedule but you seem to hit a good balance of time being left between uploads to mull over things that have been discussed. Great work

[@gommine]

Hello Ben, what a surprise to find a new video on this Monday morning! I had to pause my membership for a couple of months as I couldn't keep up, but I have since finished TBK (yay), read something contemporary at last ('Violeta' by Isabel Allende was marvellous, currently on 'The Familiars' by Stacey Halls), chipping away with Proust (almost finished the Combray section). I'm planning to rejoin you all on 1st September for 'Paradise Lost'. See you all soon!

[@blipblip88]

I wish I could either quit my job, or clone myself..or possibly both (ha!) to allow be to be able to read all the good stuff out there...Recently been very much enjoying an older Pulitzer Prize winning book "The Goldfinch" by Donna Tartt. Also re-reading a few of Cormack McCarthy's earlier novels "Outer Dark", "Suttree", and "Child of God"..I'm in a reading frenzy to mask my sadness of his death this year. Cheers!

[@MortalWeather]

I'm skeptical of "reflected glory" stories, which feature famous people. I'm a huge Maugham fan, but wary of the novel you describe.

[@maviskirsch2235]

Thank you very much for your passion for literature. I stumbled upon you this morning and im still watching also subscribed. I'm reading CS Lewis, however had to read many of the classics for secondary school which was compulsory, our education is still under the British commonwealth. I'm definitely getting back to reading, took a break from work recently and promised myself not to throw myself into anything because I'm so burnt out. So happy i feel so alive inside listening to your narration of thrse books. I will read and live through there dooks that still speakes to me. Ok the vacuum cleaner is still sitting infront of me begging me to clean, yes i must 2:30pm and the house is still here.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

It’s so nice to see a new video on the channel. Love a Booker Prize discourse. 👏🏽

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much, my friend ☺️

[@leedcpgh]

Several years ago I found Midnight's Children from the past Booker winners. It is one of my favorite books of all time. Rushdie is one of the few writers, that leave me wondering if we both do actually speak the same language. Also the book might be a good candidate for a deep read with Ben!!

[@davidpardocossio8995]

I just discovered your youtube channel and I love it! I follow the list if different international prices, above all those in the languages I can read. I find them useful to be aware of what is cooking in contemporary literature, as well as future books coming up in translation. However, they are also a source of frustration and growth of the neverending TBR lists 😢😢😢

[@NjIceTea]

First of all, thank you so much for the time and energy you put into your videos - your love for classic literature inspires many people, I am sure. Second, thank you for opening my world up to the possibility that there are books written in 2023 that are worth reading! I have been getting pretty down about that lately as I have slowed down with classics and struggle to find anything contemporary that compares in any way. Happy Reading!

[@readlikeaman]

whelp, you sold me on Life of Pi and Lincoln in the Bardo, bro! :D they've been in the back of my mind for several years now and i just needed the final push from someone i trust to knock me over the edge! on the current list, might give the bee sting a shot, but overwhelming agree with the statement "i'd rather read classics and i have WAY too many of those on my TBR right now!" hahaha

[@chickenpoxita]

Love this post, you've got me very excited to explore these books. Thanks, Ben!

[@vickieprieto959]

Such a fantastic lecture, Ben, as always! This is my first year following the progression of the Booker Prize winner. I am going to try to read as many from the long list as I can. I'm starting with A Spell of Good Things. Regarding the Book Club, everything about it is so fantastic and I feel as if I won a prize when I found your channel. In addition, the Shakespeare Project is my favorite as well - in particular the histories!! Thanks again, Vickie

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much, Vickie! That is so incredibly lovely of you to say :) I really appreciate that! I'm so happy that the Shakespeare Project is your favourite too. I also adore the histories. I think we can tell that this was Will's personal favourite genre! And very nice choice with A Spell of Good Things. I would love to know what you make of it!

[@oay2201]

What a wonderful video as always! I'm most excited for reading "The House of Doors" because I'm quite intrigued by its premise. Somerset Maugham is one of my all-time favorite authors and it's really interesting to see how the writer will represent him as a character in a novel. I personally like prize lists and consult them for recomminding reads of contemporary literarture. Besides Nobel and Booker prize lists, I follow the "International Prize for Arabic Fiction" (or Arabic Booker Prize) list which I highly recommend for anyone interested in exploring contemporary Arabic literature as all the winning novels are translated to English. Thank you so much for your fantastic and insightful content🌹

[@FionnKirwan]

25% into The Bee Sting. oh, the things your friends ask for when you ask for money 😅. Thanks for sparking my interest. I'll check out the Irish selections first, then make my way, though, whatever makes the Short list.

[@willmpet]

I am currently reading about Chemistry because I was educated very poorly in high school, and my college education did not make up for it.

[@belqisy]

I was waiting patiently for your informative video about those books, and i didn't regret it! Thank u for making those great videos.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much! That means a huge amount to me ☺️🙏

[@susprime7018]

The House of Doors sounds a winner to me too. Rain is my favorite short story by Maugham (had to write a paper on comparing and contrasting with The Power and the Glory by Greene in school in the early nineteen-seventies) and I spent a lovely vacation at Penang Island with a memorable drive up the Malay Peninsula from Singapore to Penang. I pre-ordered The House of Doors.

[@Jen39x]

Thanks for your thoughts on contemporary literature vs classic. Never occurred to me that not every year or even every 5 years produces a book that will stand the test of time. Edit to say walk in a book store? I used to visit weekly and now even without moving it is an hours drive to a bookstore.

[@ladycewest3121]

What a pleasure to watch this video! The Booker has been my favorite of all literary prizes. Thank you for your review of the long list.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much! I'm so happy you enjoyed it :)

[@c.6452]

Grateful for this video as I am totally clueless as to contemporary (English) literature. But can you do more videos about individual classics including modern classics because I just love listening to your thoughts! I'm sure these are easy to do for you and they'll bring even more viewers to the channel. 😉

[@slave_to_cinema]

Would love another McCarthy book in the bookclub in the future!

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

I'd definitely love to discuss more of McCarthy :)

[@Danrw44]

Ben I love love love your videos. You’re a master. In some ways the man I wish I had been. I had 4 kids tho … I haven’t watched one of your vids for a while but this one made me feel at home again. Keep it up. And thanks once again.

[@Anastashya]

I took a break from my current slow read of War and peace due to a loss of a friend. I read C.S Lewis “On Grieving”. I really enjoyed it. It made me think differently but I’m not sure it’d be considered literature. It seems that book prizes might be going the way of art prizes. Thank you Ben for another interesting vlog. 😊

[@loismccluresmith7944]

It was a very healing book for me when my mother and my fiancé both died within 18 months.

[@genebelcher8714]

Oh, to dunk on literary awards! Tis the season. I'm not quite halfway through the list, waiting for several to be shipped to me from the UK. So far, I'm impressed. Which is a better start than I had with last year's long list. I reread 'If I Survive You', it was longlisted on the National Book last year and I enjoy it as much on the reread as I did on the first read. Sebastian Barry's 'Old God's Time' is very good and definitely get on the short list. Mr. Barry isn't resting on his laurels. For such a short novel. it is packed with a lot of moral and philosophical issues. 'Pearl' by Siann Hughes is a great and very moving short novel. An excellent first novel for Ms. Hughes. 'Western Lane' is a very good novel and explores how a family expresses their love for one another after the tragedy of losing the matriarch of the family. The protagonist, Gopi, has a lot resting on her adolescent shoulders. You can't not feel for her dilemma. 'This Other Eden' is good and will most likely get shortlisted, but while it's well written, I think it needs another 40 or 60 pages to flesh it out more. That's rare for me. Usually, I think that novels should edit down the story. But there are some abrupt segues in the novel that are a bit jarring. Looking forward to reading the rest of the list and then being bitterly disappointed that some of my favorites didn't make the short list. Like I said, tis the season!

[@EduardoHenrique-nd1ro]

Hi there, Benjamin! Thanks for another amazing video! Have a great week! Cheers from Brazil!

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much, Eduardo! Have a fantastic week too, my friend 🇧🇷🙏

[@DavidSewellStopSmokingHypnosis]

Best channel on BookTube!

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Wow! Thank you so much, David. I really appreciate that 🙏😊

[@sacredmetaphics]

Congratulations on a wonderful and purposeful presence on social media platforms. I am 65 and will be sharing your videos and thoughts on my own blog, or Universal dynamics and on my Twitter X feed and speaking about you on spaces I put in a request to follow you on X. Looking forward to speaking with you one day you bring me hope for the future not an easy task.

[@victoriaowen6366]

Great video Benjamin! Having recently read Julia Armfield’s Our Wives Under the Sea, which I loved, perhaps In Ascension would be an interesting continuation of the theme. Some really interesting comments from your book club members. The enjoyment of literature is such a subjective experience, so I try to resist the urge to jump on an awards bandwagon. I like to view the Booker as a suggestion for future reading, which I can choose to discover in my own time. 📚🤓

[@nicoler5713]

Not me with 16 tabs of waterstones open while you talk about choosing quality over quantity... 😅😅

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

I completely relate... I still struggle to follow my own advice... 😂

[@nicoler5713]

@@BenjaminMcEvoy It is hard advice to follow. What if my Internet goes down for 8 years and I need reading material to pass the time?

[@tithichatterjee3734]

Hey there. I recently discovered your channel and I'm loving your content. There are so few people who talk about books in such great details. I'm currently pursuing my M.A. and I can relate to your content somehow. It would be great if you could make a video on how to improve writing skills.. i know you have those videos but would love to see more on them.. thank you

[@neo5kali]

I'm currently reading Mircea Carterescu's novel "Solenoid" and so far it is glorious! I wonder why it didn't make the Booker Prize list.

[@pouetpouetdaddy5]

white, male, heterosexual and over 50...commonly called The Evil. No chance to win anyway.

[@eddietemple2302]

probably because it's a Romanian novel?

[@mariag8879]

That’s good to hear - I’ve had this on my TBR for the longest time and ooh I’m so looking forward to getting into it!

[@TheBobbybare]

It didn’t make the International Booker because it’s not on a UK based press.

[@kouprey1]

Various book competitions limit their entries to specifics like where published, nationality of author, original language, subject matter (the various competitions for Science Fiction, etc.) and where published. I believe the Booker is open to all english language authors (previously only to members of the Commonwealth) that have been published in the UK or Ireland. Solenoid won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Fiction and the author has won a number of other prizes.

[@kieranhooton9665]

You are a great inspiration for myself and many. I’m so glad to see both the podcast and your channel going strong. I believe it was year 12 when I found the channel and I was around 18- I’m now about a month and a half from being 20 and I still look to your videos for inspiration and insight into all aspects of literature. I’m now going on to my first year of university to study English literature (after a gap year for money and time to read) and I’ll still maintain my loyalty to the channel. I was wondering two things, will you have any published fiction/non-fiction available for purchase at any point? (I know you’ve mentioned non-fiction works on Shakespeare and others in the past) Finally, I want to read ‘The Brothers Karamazov’ after reading the ‘…And there’s a whole life in that, in knowing that the sun is there’ quote that very much resonated with me but I’m both intimidated by Russian literature (after struggling with The Master and Margarita a little a few years back I haven’t touched any Russian literature since) and I wondered if there is any literature worth reading prior to tackling this one?

[@Fitness4London]

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy is a masterpiece of Russian literature. Although it is a long novel, it flows well. I recommend it!

[@caivail4614]

Oh yes, definitely try out some Tolstoy. Jumping right into Bros K would’ve scared me away from Russian literature 😁 Dip into Tolstoy’s short stories or Anna Karenina, they’re supremely readable and will empower you to read more of the Russians. Turgenev’s short stories are also fantastic.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much, Kieran. You have completely made my day. I'm so grateful to hear that you've been following the podcast and channel for so long. You've been here since the early days, my friend! A huge congratulations on embarking on the grand adventure of studying English at university. As for publishing, I'm definitely aiming to have a work out on Shakespeare in the near future. I'm thrilled that you want to read The Brothers Karamazov! For works to read prior to this one, I highly recommend Turgenev’s ‘A Sportsman’s Notebook.’ My favourite volume of short stories. They're beautiful, digestible, and he's writing in the same cultural climate as Dostoyevsky. Try the stories 'Living Relic', 'Kasyan of Fair Springs', and 'Bezhin Lea'. I second the great recommendations of Anna Karenina. And if you wanted a shorter Tolstoy, Hadji Murat is a masterpiece. You could also check out 'The Grand Inquisitor' part of TBK in isolation. Many have held this up as the pinnacle of great literature. If you find this compelling, you are likely to derive many rewards from the entire novel :) Also, George Saunders has a great commentary on Russian short stories, called 'A Swim in a Pond in the Rain', which I highly recommend!

[@kieranhooton9665]

@@BenjaminMcEvoy The pleasure is all mine! Thank you very much though, I’ll be sure to check everything out before tackling TBK which is now perhaps my most anticipated read in my current state of deliberating on topics of faith, life and death. Thanks again for the wonderful insight, the recommendations never fail to inspire me to digest more great literature that I would have never even thought about reading and I can’t wait to read any published works you may put out in the future, especially if it’s on Shakespeare.

[@kieranhooton9665]

@@caivail4614 thank you, I’ve always been scared to read Tolstoy but perhaps now is as good a time as any! The short stories may be a good place to start, I’ll check it all out, thanks again.

[@pranjalpokharel5270]

Love your videos benjamin. I'm a keen literature enthusiast from nepal. Appreciate your videos which has helped me discover and read more books, keep it up.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much, Pranjal :) I really appreciate you sharing your love of literature with me and watching over in beautiful Nepal! 🇳🇵🙏

[@pranjalpokharel5270]

​@@BenjaminMcEvoy❤❤❤

[@eyesonindie]

Wonderful overview! Thank you! I believe that to be a good literary citizen, it is important to read contemporary authors and contemporary fiction (not just read, but review and celebrate, too). However, the classics are key to fully enjoying contemporary works. The fun in reading today’s fiction often comes from the references and parallels you can make to the classics. My recommendation for avoiding the annoying and disappointing commercialism of contemporary fiction: seek out books published by small and independent publishers! It’s often the huge corporate publishers who are putting out work of mediocre quality, while small (often non-profit) publishers take the bigger literary risks and therefore often publish more interesting work. There are seven books on this year’s Booker longlist published by independent publishers, though those indies vary in size. Maybe read those first!

[@thudeshreenaidoo3330]

Love love love this video! Thank you Benjamin 😊

[@arshjotkaur]

I woke up and saw that you have a new video and this completely made my day!💯

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much :) I hope you have a wonderful day, Arshjot!

[@Fitness4London]

The Bee Sting by Paul Murray sounds like enormous fun. Western Lane by Chetna Maroo also intrigues me, as I'm obsessed with tennis, and a novel about a kid being hot-housed by a demanding parent to become a squash champion definitely appeals.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

I'm completely absorbed in Paul Murray's book. I've lost sleep to keep reading it :) And I am totally intrigued by Western Lane too. It's currently on my bedside table and I can't wait to properly dive in!

[@katiemynette4285]

Heart of Kentucky. Hello Benjamin. I guess you know Barbara Kingsolver is from Kentucky? I so enjoy you. I started a class in World Literature today at our local university. A dear friend of mine is the professor, and I always wanted to study under her. I recently quit speed reading, and everything today was so fast, although it was mostly discussions. I'm sitting at the back of the class, and I plan to read all our assignments, but I may not be so quick to answer. I think I'll just play it by ear. I am a mature student. I really appreciate you. Katie.

[@robynholliday4794]

Ben your channel is way superior to others …ty How do I join the book club you speak of? You’ve got me back into reading classics ty

[@marnasorensen988]

Ben...may I ask how you organize your books? My winter project. Thank you.

[@JosephQuinton]

You provided an insightful and eloquent introduction to the list….. thank you, kindly.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much, Joseph! I really appreciate that :)

[@winskypinsky]

Benjamin could you please, with all my heart, do a deep dive into William Faulkner. It’s August. For the past four years I read, every August, Light in August. Shelby Foote said “If you read Light in August enough, you’ll see how he does it.” Sanctuary, Sound and Fury, The Snopes Trilogy. I do declare sir, Mr Faulkner please!

[@richardjones186]

I had a feeling that I wasn't the only one to reread "Light in August" every August.

[@masonjames1194]

Just discovered your channel and have become very interested in more classes works such as leo Tolstoy. I will soon be getting a really beautiful war and peace hardback collection from everymans library. I mainly read modern fantasy novels and was wondering if you have some if any modern fantasy books and or series to recommend. Sorry its quite a long comment. You have made me think about my current choice of literature and it has actually enhanced my enjoyment out of my books and for that i would like to thank you

[@aamnainfebruary]

I love the Booker Prizes, but I started to take them a bit less seriously after reading Ian McEwan’s Amsterdam that won the prize in 1998. Maybe someone on this planet likes the book, but most people don’t, and even McEwan was surprised that it ended up winning

[@tonirose6776]

Be grateful you didn't see the movie! (Did you?). I have loved many of his books; recently I read The Children Act, Machines Like Me, and Lessons, which I'd anticipated reading and had some trouble acquiring at the library. What I found was that I enjoyed the books in reverse order: I found myself drifting when reading Lessons, even though I am the same age as McEwan. I raced through The Children Act, and found it very light, but loved Machines Like Me. I find myself lately re-reading classics, and just layering in new stuff that grips my interest. Thank you, Ben, for your podcast!

[@aamnainfebruary]

@@tonirose6776wait there’s a movie as well?? I am gonna stay away from it

[@hettiestroebel4952]

Fabulous overview - thank you very much!!

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much! I'm so happy you enjoyed it, Hettie :)

[@johnsilver8059]

Sir, I’ve bought about half the long list. My wife and I just finished Old God’s Time. It was beautiful and heartbreaking. The debris left behind by English colonialism when the Catholic Church became an unaccountable arm of the Irish government.

[@KindleAndCoffeeCups]

Good timing with this video Ben! HERE is a reason that I enjoy BookTube... I allow other people to read the prize lists books (long and short list) including the Nobel. IF (and only IF) a trusted reviewer speaks highly and does a good job at highlighting universal themes of the work, I "consider" it. In truth, I'm often disappointed. I spend my time reading and re-reading constantly all of the greatest works of literature. Those stories are able to reach so far into my soul that reading a surface level story that feels likes it's "aiming" yet NEVER reaching the target, does not interest me. I honestly will re-read Hardy every. single. time I feel like some "drama". All else leaves me feeling like I've eaten an entire chocolate cake. It looks great, but quickly you realize it isn't worth it, and you question if you EVER even liked cake. 🍰 Current issues around equality, access, human rights ARE grossly important. I watch documentaries and read/share articles to stay up to date and informed. I don't need my literature to do that. It's wonderful to see people read these works and discuss them, but I can't afford to give my limited reading time to these "possibilities" when so many sure novels await reading and re-reading. GREAT video per usual Ben 😊

[@maryann7619]

Your presentations make this world a better place. Literally. ;)

[@raquelkirst]

Hi Ben, i was struggling with a reading, by Danilo Kyš, and your channel helped me. Thank you! Have you ever read anything by Claire Keegan? In 2023 she was my best reading. I loved Foster, she was not translated to brazilian portuguese so I've read the original. It was a gift, she realy touched my soul. ❤😊

[@walkerrowe9534]

Reading Frankenstein because you recommended it. It’s one of the best ever. Reading all of Cormac McCarthy too because of what you say.

[@susanpuckett4521]

Ben, what are your thoughts on what many KZbin book people are commenting on and that is the absence of Demon Copperhead on the short list. Most have concluded that the absence of Demon Copperhead is the judge's way of saying either "its won enough" or some have suggested it is the judge's way of saying "see, we aren't bound by social opinion or other prizes". Would love to know your thoughts! Great video! Thank you for sharing your expertise!

[@susanpuckett4521]

Sorry...the long list! I'm already thinking about who will make the short list!😅

[@TheSalMaris]

Fabulous and in depth as usual. Thank you for this.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Thank you so much! :)

[@kynaatawan5967]

I would love to hear your opinion on young adult fiction, reading challenges and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone as a reader. Please upload more book content.

[@deborahduthie4519]

I used to read Booker prize winners and was often surprised by the story content but were a quick read. Disgrace had an interesting beginning and then it diluted, then an incident towards the end, but read the whole book on my breaks at work almost 30 years ago. Not so much my fave. Satanic Verses, after having read thousands of books, is still my fave. of all time.

[@samirkarki192]

Bro, I would like to go a bit off topic. I would love to know your opinions about - how to read and understand elizabethan literature? Over the years I have gone worked through a bunch of plays from Shakespeare, Johnson and Marlow and have my own strategies, but would love to know what you have to say about the topic.

[@Liisa3139]

I'm not much of a fiction reader, so I enjoy non-fiction elements within fiction writing, like the essays in Knausgård's My Struggle or in Coetzee's books. David Foster Wallace's expertise on tennis immediately leans me toward Maroo's Western Lane. I'm also very positively triggered by cultural differences, therefore another favorite choice would be The Other Eden, followed by the Jamaican-American theme in If I Survive You. Pearl appears tempting, because it deals with (to some degree at least) art and art criticism. Old God's Time might be my cup of tea also in its treatment of religion and church. I hope it is not a totally atheistic story, though. Existential questions and philosophical thinking always rank high in my reading lists - as well as non-fiction. All in all, a surprisingly interesting longlisting (not smelling too woke)!

[@superfly2449]

It’s frustrating to not be able to get The Bee Sting on audiobook in the US.

[@dcmsr5141]

Thank you for the survey of the list

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

You're so welcome! Thank you for running through it with me :)

[@graceyao2838]

hope that you one day will read the old and classical chinese work THE DREAM OF THE RED MANSION, a great work

[@AdeelHussain-tx7hp]

Which books would you recommend as a starters for those who don't have English as their first language?

[@lolab56]

Absolutely love this channel.

[@pixilixy]

i want to read the western lane now. it sounds awesome

[@30secondsflat]

I remember reading “Skippy Dies” by Paul Murray and it’s the one book I always recommend to anyone of my friends or acquaintances when they ask me for a reading recommendation due its lovely combination of humour and tenderness. If Murray does what he does there with “The Bee Sting” it’s going to be a winner

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

I’m so happy to hear that! I’ve ordered ‘Skippy Dies’ and am now wanting to read all his books. I stayed up very late last night because I was so hooked on ‘The Bee Sting.’ Fantastic writer :)

[@30secondsflat]

@@BenjaminMcEvoy I think you’ll love it. I noticed that prior to reading “Skippy Dies” my reading habits were always consciously directed to “serious” literature devoid of any humour. I may have thought that humour in writing was a lesser form of literature, which is an attitude I’ve removed from my mind ever since (I’ve been trying to get into Wodehouse as a way of making up for that). Murray has an ability to use humour as a way of illuminating the human condition that I found unique. Would love to hear your take on it once you’re finished the book !

[@judan1998]

Hey Benjamin. This has absolutely nothing to do with this particular video, but since it's your most recent, thought I'd post my question here. Have you done any videos on Anthony Trollope, particularly his Barsetshire Chronicles? If not, would you consider it?

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Hey Daniel :) I actually haven't done any videos on Trollope. I've mentioned him in passing a few times, but it's funny you mention his Barsetshire Chronicles because I've been thinking quite a lot recently about putting a discussion out. So, absolutely, I'm definitely considering it, and hopefully will be able to have something out soon :)

[@familygonzcartwright]

I know time has passed but I believe most followers would agree with me and say that they wouldn't mind a International Booker video where (even if the shortlist and winner have been announced) you go through the longlist, and then say what you would've picked, compare it to the actual choices made, and talk about the winner also. It is your opinion as an in depth reader what we would enjoy from such video and for that reason it wouldn't matter if the Prize has already been awarded.

[@v-flying]

Glad you enjoyed The Bee Sting… It was one of my favorite reads of this year and really sucked me in!

[@yoclark2723]

I just watched your 100 best books written in English and I said that book prize entries can be forgettable. Thank you for reminding me that the books may take time to become a classic.

[@stephenn3727]

Thank you!

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

You're so welcome, Stephen! :) Thank you for watching!

[@isabelrangel8169]

Also do one about the international booker prize!

[@dqan7372]

Thrilled and curious to see this list of thirteen books deemed better than Demon Copperhead. 🤔 Hoping This Other Eden at least makes the short list. Prophet Song sounds promising. Have Old God's Time on hold. I'll hold off on the others for now.

[@EatWithBadlands]

Ever considered doing a classic literature tier list? Could be interesting.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Definitely :) I'd be up for that!

[@roseneild4101]

OMG the Bee Sting!!!!!! also In Ascension!!! (enjoyed but less so A spell of good things and western lane) not enough hours to get these all read... the shortlist commeth.

[@maria83maria]

I loved till now all the pulizer books that i read, i'm hopefull just for the pulizer price. I pick from this lists just one book, like "The bandit queens" this year, and i did loved that book. I will pick just one also from the booker, because i am reading Middlemarch, The satanic verses and Oblomov this year

[@ReadFridaRead]

The staff picks in bookshops are a marketing tool and not written by the individuals who work there? That makes me so sad and is just another reminder to visit independent bookshops whenever I can. Loved this video - thanks Ben. I am currently deep reading Moby Dick and am getting so much out of both the book and your lecture series. May pick up a couple of the Booker titles - The House of Doors is particularly appealing.

[@spiritualanarchist8162]

When I grew up in the 80thies, a lot of high literature felt pompeus and forced. Not because there were no great books, but because it seemed one needed to be heavy handed and gloomy to end up on (pre- internet )literature lists. This is just my personal experience (probably also influenced by flawed memory) These days it's far more inclusive . The booker prize is a good example . A lot of different writers, stories and genres.

[@captain_cloudd]

Hey Ben! Do you plan on doing a "How To Read" for Infinite Jest?

[@eskybakzu712]

Read Hamlet and then read Infinite Jest. Infinite Jest is ultimately a response to Hamlet

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

Definitely! I’m rereading it at the moment and it’s on my mind a lot. Very keen to have a discussion about it!

[@captain_cloudd]

@@BenjaminMcEvoy Thinking about the other reply you liked, I have the feeling that a lot of great literature is in response to Hamlet. Ulysses is a very good example. Shakespeare's influence reminds me of Plato's; every philosopher after Plato was trying to respond to the questions he had already made, just as a lot of great literature is in response to Shakespeare.

[@LifeLessonsFromBooks]

Thanks for the rundown of the books. Overall I’ve been disappointed with Booker Prize winners because I don’t understand why they won. I have a few from the past that I liked (Coetzee, Brookner, Ishguro..) but nothing as moving as other classics and literature. I try to ignore whether they’ve won or not because I judge them too harshly. Seeing “Booker Prize Winner” on a book usually makes me sigh. Yet…..I still borrow them from the library and afterwards feel constantly disappointed. 😂

[@Peg06]

As I listened to Adjoa Andoh's words I found myself shouting out loud. I am 100% in agreement with her as to what I seek in a book.

[@everrit]

The Bee Sting looks very interesting. Love the comment about the English cover of House of Doors being better than the American one.

[@ba-gg6jo]

Ah, time for the publishers to hand over the cash to get their book top of the pile.

[@alancawfield6549]

How are you able to read so many books so quickly? I 'd say I can only read about 1 book per month and I read for at least 1 hour every evening.

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

I think one book per month is absolutely ideal! I personally read quite slowly. A lot of the works I discuss are rereads, which means it’s easier to read multiple simultaneously and digest them swiftly.

[@MortalWeather]

Well done, as usual. Sounds as though it's time to move back to the old sod. At a writer's conference last fall, several well-known writers bragged about being judges for the same major American contests, year after year. I guess they didn't realize how appalling that was to me and many others. These handful of writers are apparently de facto gatekeepers for American literature. WIll never again enter those contests.

[@carrollwilliams8861]

Are there any relatively current books that you think are worthwhile? The most popular books are usually written by the same group of authors that you will find in an airport bookstore. These books are usually too bland and commercial for me.

[@dandelves]

I shall read the booker winner but that's about it for contemporary literature

[@BenjaminMcEvoy]

That seems like the best approach to me, Dan!

[@ivatorres4515]

Don't judge a book by its cover... neither for the prizes it has won. However, l enjoyed listening to your video because, being such an excellent communicator, it's impossible not to share your excitement about the outcome of something which is quite irrelevant. I have already read Booker and even Nobel prizes winners, but that has never been the reason for my choices. Annie Ernaux being awarded Nobel Prize in Literature last year, left me speechless. Politics, Fashionable Topics, Economic Interests and a conflict of interests between the threats of the screen and a good book, will eventually damage the benefits of reading good books. That's why videos like yours are today more important than ever. Mediocrity might not win the race, but TIME is always the best judge. Thank you Benjamin.

[@MrUndersolo]

Great video! I am putting the Booker on a higher scale than the Nobel (just consider the winners and never-rans on that list).

[@andrius4242]

I trust literary prize picks like this to offer something interesting, but not necessarily to select the best of the best, and that's fine. There are just too many books out there, most of them little known, for that to be feasible, and then you have to consider how subjective the whole thing is and how many other non-literary considerations go into these picks and omissions. My go to example is Isak Dinesen/Karen Blixen being left without a Nobel because there were too many Scandinavians winning at the time -- absurd and a travesty if you consider the Nobel to be this huge arbiter of literary merit, but understandable if you think about the realistic limitations of all these prizes. I typically don't keep up with contemporary literature, but this year I've been trying to, mostly using prize lists like this to guide my reading. I recently read some Annie Ernaux, and I'm going to read some of the Booker longlist picks as well -- Study for Obedience, Old God's Time, In Ascension, maybe some others. I don't expect anything I read from these prize lists to be the next great thing in literature, but I do expect them to at the very least be solid, skillfully written books, which has so far been the case. Also, there's just something fun and zeitgeist-y about these sort of reading projects!

[@devintownshend8883]

I tend to not be into prize lists anyway, but I especially have no faith in the Booker after finding out A Little Life was shortlisted a few years ago. I'm sure perfectly good books get nominated as well, if only by chance, but I'm not going to use the list of nominees as a reading guide.

[@MikeFuller-ok6ok]

To me who is poor at reading, I am awestruck that the Booker Prize judges read hundreds of books. I would find it a major achievement to read a whole 300 page novel.