The Women’s Prize for Fiction 2024- Shortlist Reaction

[@BookishTexan]

Recoding this on the train might have been fun, but it’s always great to hear you talk about books regardless of the setting.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ahah, I think the passengers of that train were spared my enthusiasm at 8am! And thank you so much!

[@christinacampbellbooks]

Enjoyed hearing your thoughts on these, Bob. I've read 2 from the shortlist. Soldier Sailor and Restless Dolly Maunder. Definitely preferred Soldier Sailor out of those two. I'm looking forward to reading The rest of the books on the shortlist too ☺

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ooh, glad to hear you liked Soldier Sailor! And I’m excited to get to them all- I hope you like them too!

[@TKTalksBooks]

It was so funny! 1989 BOOKER PRIZE .. I laughed so hard! You are adorable .

[@BobTheBookerer]

Aha, it was so silly when I sat back and realised 😂

[@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711]

Enter Ghost is many layered and fascinating. I was delighted about Soldier Sailor, fine with The Wren and a bit sad about Western Lane. Brotherless Night is next up for me. I think I can do without Restless Dolly Maunder but may yet get to River East. We'll see.

[@BobTheBookerer]

I just finished it, and my goodness Enter Ghost is good! Layered is exactly right! Yes, really wish Western Lane got a bit more love! But we will see- excited to read the rest of them!

[@emmavd]

Thanks, Bob!🌷The only book I’ve read (and perhaps not loved, but liked very much) is Enter Ghost and I’m happy to see it on the shortlist. I’m definitely going to read Dolly Maunder (the paperback has become available in the Netherlands today😊) and most probably River East River West. I’m also intrigued by Ordinary Human Failings. Even though it didn’t make the shortlist (I think it was penalized by the other two strong Irish contenders), all I’ve heard about it makes it actually a very interesting read. Looking forward to your reviews.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Oh nice, I hope you like the others you’ve read! Ordinary Human Failings was a fascinating one, I think! Just finished Enter Ghost and I think it’s going to be a very strong contender!

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

The only one on the shortlist that I had not read was River East River West I delighted by two Irish books making it through. Liked all but Restless Dolly Maunder. It’s an ok book but ok isn’t good enough for the Womens Prize. I’m annoyed that it was chosen over much better books from Australia & NZ. ☘️👋🍀📕📚📖💐🇮🇪☕️

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yes! So glad to see two Irish authors there! And yes, would love to see some other books from Australia and NZ make more lists!

[@nadiadixon5805]

Brotherless night is a brilliant book, superbly written and draws you in to how easy it is for a group of people or ethnicity who are downtrodden by the ruling powers to be drawn into becoming so called terrorists to protect themselves, I would say partisans but its always the stronger power who manages the media about who is who and who is in the right or in the wrong...its so relative to today and I hope it wins....I also think Sri Lanka has been so badly governed it needs its history to be on the front pages...

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ooh, I’m glad to hear it! I’m very excited for that one! And good to see Sri Lanka’s politics being brought to a wider audience.

[@peaseblossom4252]

I had been rooting for Western Lane. So now I’m hoping Enter Ghost wins, though I need to read most of these shortlist titles now. Thanks for another book chat!

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yes! Such a brilliant book and I wish it had made the shortlist! And just finished Enter Ghost- oof, it’s good!

[@the_snicklefritz]

I think it’s a really good shortlist. I REALLY wish In Defense of the Act made it over Restless Dolly Maunder. I guess the judges wanted a “fun” entry rather than a difficult topic 😅

[@BobTheBookerer]

Oh my goodness, yes! In Defence is such a stunning book, I think!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Funny isn't the first word I'd use to describe Grenville's story so it's strange the judges emphasis that but I do think it's very good.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Aha, we will see! I’m intrigued to read it and find out what was so funny 😂

[@RovingReader]

SO wrong! I love British train announcements!!! “Mind the gap.” 🎉🎉🎉 I just bought Brotherless Night!

[@BobTheBookerer]

Aha, I so should have done it 😂 Ooh, I’m so intrigued by Brotherless Night!

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

I was a bit surprised to hear Dolly was supposed to be funny as it hadn’t really been making me laugh. 🤷‍♀️ A train video reaction could have been funny.😂

[@BobTheBookerer]

Aha, I’m so intrigued to read it and see 😂 and yes, those lucky train passengers dodged a bullet!

[@TKTalksBooks]

I will be shocked if Anne Enright doesn’t win 😊

[@BobTheBookerer]

Oh it’s so good, right?

[@TheLeniverse]

I didn't quite click with The Wren The Wren, but I fully understand it being shortlisted. I'm baffled by Dolly though. I mean, it was fine but there are definitely better books. And I don't even remember it being funny 😆 In Defence of the Act was funny. Hangman was funny (or at least amusing). I guess there might have been some humour in Dolly as well, but was that really the tone of the book? I guess to me Dolly was fairly forgettable 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@BobTheBookerer]

Totally fair! And yes, I loved In Defence of the Act! And I’m so intrigued by Hangman!