The International Booker Prize 2024- Shortlist Overview and My Favourites!

Hello! I’m Bob, and I enjoyed reading the shortlist from this year’s International Booker Prize!
Books Mentioned:
00:00 Introduction
01:40 Selva Almada- Not A River (tr. Annie McDermott)
03:56 Jenny Erpenbeck- Kairos (tr. Michael Hofmann)
07:17 Ia Genberg- The Details (tr. Kira Josefsson)
09:38 Hwang Sok-yong- Mater 2-10 (tr. Sora Kim-Russell and Youngjae Josephine Bae)
12:01 Jente Posthuma- What I’d Rather Not Talk About (tr. Sarah Timmer Harvey)
14:11 Itamar Vieira Junior- Crooked Plow (tr. Johnny Lorenz)
16:49 List Overivew and My Favourites
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[@MikeFuller-ok6ok]

I admire people who can read books. I have read all or most of an abridged children's version of 'Black Beauty'. I am awestruck by how many novels 'Booker Prize' judges read! To me they're geniuses!

[@curioushmm9027]

i've only read the details and i loved it.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Nice! And glad you liked it so much- it’s one of those books that sneaks into your mind, I think!

[@curioushmm9027]

@@BobTheBookerer 😀

[@booksandbags]

I’ve read two so far (What I’d Rather Think About and The Details). I liked both of them and would be pleased with either of them winning. I’m hoping to push through the shorter three and at least start Mater 2-10. This is my first time reading this prize. I’ve enjoyed it.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Oh nice, I’m glad you’ve enjoyed your experience of reading it!

[@TKTalksBooks]

In What I’d Rather Not Think About, I think the sardonic humor is there to reveal how pissed off she actually is at her twin (but obviously deeply deeply loves) .. It reminds me a little of Soldier Sailor in that way.

[@the_snicklefritz]

Oh wow good comparison! I hadn’t made that connection but they definitely have a similar narrative voice

[@BobTheBookerer]

Oooh, I hadn’t made that connection, but I love that!

[@kmaggs7804]

Great reviews!

[@BobTheBookerer]

Thank you!

[@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711]

I had an odd experience with The Details of really enjoying it as I read it but a few days later it was as if I had never read it. It just evaporated in my memory. I think a reread could make all the difference though and is I think my favourite of those I have read from the longlist.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Aha, yes! I’m glad I filmed the video when I did, because it did start to fade somewhat quickly for me!

[@jf8559]

Thanks Bob! You made me very excited to read Crooked Plow. Sounds great! I am singling that one out but your comments about the books speaking to each other made me interested in reading them all to seek out that experience. So thank you so much!

[@BobTheBookerer]

Thank you! And I hope you like whichever ones you read!

[@TKTalksBooks]

I must say, this was a Master Class on how to do a wrap up. I’m so impressed. I’m here to learn.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ahhh, that’s so kind of you, thank you!

[@ianp9086]

I’m only just getting to the books now so I’m glad some are very short and I’m afraid I don’t fancy Mater 2-10. I actually went to a reading by Jenny Erpenbeck last year and that was fascinating. There was some discussion about ‘home’ and she was really interesting on the fact that the country where she was born and brought up no longer exists and a western society and culture were imposed on her country almost overnight which was deeply unsettling for many in the GDR. I understood her two protagonists are meant to reflect the generational differences in their responses to the unification. I would like to see Kairos win as I have been so impressed with some of her previous books (eg Visitation) but I wonder if its interests are too local rather than global?

[@BobTheBookerer]

Definitely fair, and pick what sounds best to you! Ooh, that talk sounds interesting, and yes, I can’t even imagine what that must feel like. I want to read more of her work!

[@TKTalksBooks]

Hi Bob. Fantastic wrap up of the shortlist. My favorites are Not a River and Crooked Plow. The only one I DNFed was Mater 2-10

[@BobTheBookerer]

Thank you! Great choices! And yes, Mater 2-10 tested me a bit- some parts in the middle dragged a bit for me!

[@TKTalksBooks]

I think Kairos will win. I’m hoping for Crooked Plow.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yes! The more I think about Kairos, the stronger I think it is! Crooked Plow would be an excellent winner too!

[@penelopegough6050]

I loved Not a River and especially loved The Details. I read everything I can find of Jenny Erpenbeck but haven’t read this one yet. Taking it slowly this year trying not to get overwhelmed and overtaken by long lists and shortlists. Always look forward to your videos Bob. Thanks.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ooh yay, glad to see some love for Not A River and The Details- I feel like those two have been somewhat overlooked! Enjoy the rest- definitely think the slower path is better! And thank you!

[@drawyourbook876]

From what I have read, I think what I would rather not think about is my preferred one, and even though it was good, I am not sure it is massively memorable...

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yeah, I really enjoyed that book and I’m glad it at least got the shortlisting!

[@tam876]

I awaiting my copy of Crooked Plow - anxious to read it after I saw your review.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Oh nice! I hope you like it!

[@ameliareads589]

I don't have a real favourite, but I think Jenny Erpenbeck is going to win. Although I don't think Kairos is her strongest book, I would be happy for her, because there is not a book (on the shortlist) I am really rooting for. I really loved Lost on Me.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Haha, you predicted correctly! I’m excited to tuck into a couple of her others now!

[@ReadingIDEAS.-uz9xk]

Happy reading to you.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Thank you, and to you!

[@antonypearce8477]

Great overview of the shortlist. You make a great point about re reading and how that deepens your understanding of the work. I’m rooting now for Kairos and also read Erpenbecks The End of Days over the weekend which has increased my regard for her thoughtful writing and world view. That said I would be also happy with Not a River or the Details as the winner.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Thank you! And yes, I want to get better at re-reading! I’m so keen to read more Erpenbeck- she seems fascinating as an author!