Women's Prize for Fiction 2023 Shortlist Reaction
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.ค. 2024
- Watch my instant reaction to each novel shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2023. Lots of surprises and much to discuss! Click ‘Show More’ for info.
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My video discussing the 2023 Women's Prize longlist: • Women's Prize for Fict...
Find out more about the Women's Prize for Fiction: womensprizeforfiction.co.uk
Winner announced June 14
The longlisted books and purchase links:
Glory - NoViolet Bulawayo
uk.bookshop.org/a/9054/978152...
Homesick - Jennifer Croft
uk.bookshop.org/a/9054/978191...
Fire Rush - Jacqueline Crooks
uk.bookshop.org/a/9054/978178...
Children of Paradise - Camilla Grudova
uk.bookshop.org/a/9054/978183...
Stone Blind - Natalie Haynes
uk.bookshop.org/a/9054/978152...
Demon Copperhead - Barbara Kingsolver
uk.bookshop.org/a/9054/978057...
Trespasses - Louise Kennedy
uk.bookshop.org/a/9054/978152...
Cursed Bread - Sophie Mackintosh
uk.bookshop.org/a/9054/978024...
The Dog of the North - Elizabeth McKenzie
uk.bookshop.org/a/9054/978000...
Black Butterflies - Priscilla Morris
uk.bookshop.org/a/9054/978071...
The Marriage Portrait - Maggie O'Farrell
uk.bookshop.org/a/9054/978147...
I'm a Fan - Sheena Patel
uk.bookshop.org/a/9054/978178...
Pod - Laline Paull
uk.bookshop.org/a/9054/978147...
Wandering Souls - Cecile Pin
uk.bookshop.org/a/9054/978000...
The Bandit Queens - Parini Shroff
uk.bookshop.org/a/9054/978183...
Memphis - Tara M Stringfellow
uk.bookshop.org/a/9054/978152...
My full reviews of some of these novels:
Glory - NoViolet Bulawayo
• Glory by NoViolet Bula...
Fire Rush - Jacqueline Crooks
• Fire Rush by Jacquelin...
Demon Copperhead - Barbara Kingsolver
• Demon Copperhead by Ba...
Cursed Bread - Sophie Mackintosh
• Cursed Bread by Sophie...
The Dog of the North - Elizabeth McKenzie
lonesomereader.com/blog/2023/...
Black Butterflies - Priscilla Morris
• Black Butterflies by P...
The Marriage Portrait - Maggie O'Farrell
• The Marriage Portrait ...
Wandering Souls - Cecile Pin
lonesomereader.com/blog/2023/...
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:53 Reacting to the shortlist
6:30 Pod
7:53 Trespasses
9:26 Black Butterflies
10:44 Fire Rush
11:44 The Marriage Portrait
13:47 Demon Copperhead
16:59 longlisted books
17:54 Conclusion
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Your reaction when you thought Demon Copperhead might not be on the list....and then when it was 😄🤣 absolutely priceless. This is why I love your channel, you are so emotionally invested in the books 😍
If Pod were swapped out for Bandit Queens, this would be my favourite list!! Absolutely stella list!
Haha, thank you! It’s silly how I get so invested but I’m glad other readers online feel the same way. 😄
And I’d have liked to see that swap too!
Seeing your reaction to Pod and panicking that Demon Copperhead wouldn’t make it had me laughing! I would have liked to see Bandit Queens and Wandering Souls on the list and really surprised that the latter didn’t make it.
Haha! Such a stressful moment! 😅 And yeah, I’d have loved to see those two on the shortlist.
Wandering Souls really blew me away. I'm so glad the longlist introduced me to Cecile Pin.
4/ 6 for me, can't believe Wandering Souls didn't make it & would have chosen Banditt Queens over Pod
I loved you talking to Joyce to help keep you calm 😂😂❤️
😅🤣
I actually really liked Pod! The reading experience itself was a slower paced book for me to read but I really think it's unique and I think about it whenever I see single use plastic or see the sea. So a lot!
A surprisingly surprising shortlist for me, Pod especially! I still need to read both Pod and Demon, but looking forward to one more than the other… 😅
I wonder which one! 😂 Looking forward to hearing your reaction to both.
Joy to watch, you seem so happy and excited 😊 thank you
Thanks! 😊📚
What a fun way to do the shortlist! Thanks for this video
😊📚
I intially DNAd Demon Copperhead, but you inspired me to pick it up from the library again Erik, thank you so much, I adored Demons character.
That is so great to hear! I’m glad you gave it another try and connected with it.
I'm currently reading Pod. I'm really enjoying it, the world Laline Paull made is so interesting. What you say about Bees is what I think she did in Pod as well.
Omg your reactions were so fun to watch 😂😂 i was scared for you for a moment like what if Demon Copperhead didnt get selected ?!?! 😭😂 happy to see your favorite book in the list !!
Haha! Thank you! 😊😅
Thank you so much--I loved watching this. I'm reading Kingsolver's UNSHELTERED for the first time now (it's been sitting on my shelf since it was published) to get warmed up for DEMON COPPERHEAD, in my more recent TBR pile. I have the O'Farrell and Trespasses is on order. I need to go back through your recommendations from the long list, too.
Thank you! 😊📚 Unsheltered is also excellent. There were some elements of that book which didn't work as well for me but overall I really enjoyed it: lonesomereader.com/blog/2018/10/19/unsheltered-by-barbara-kingsolver
Hope you enjoy Trespasses and The Marriage Portrait!
I've read 3 of the shortlist and 9 in total. I actually loved Pod so interested to hear what you make of it, it's one of those books that's really stayed with me and seeing 🐬 at Easter brought it back. Also was so impressed by Demon Copperhead, and liked but not loved Trespasses. Interested to read the others now.
I love everything about this video from the t-shirt to the muffin display, from the drama of the envelopes to the tension about Demon Copperhead. So joyful, celebratory and exciting! I was thinking of you the other day when reading online about the emergence of Beatriz Flamini from a 500 day stay in a cave (for scientific study). The reason I thought of you was the fact that she read 60 books while in the cave and, I must say, I think you would read much more under the same conditions. You are so delightful and have brought me back into the world of contemporary fiction. So many good books out there! Thank you for being such a thoughtful reader and providing all these wonderful reviews/recommendations! Best to you and your partner.
I loved to see your live reaction!! Fun way to do it with the cards! Your reaction to Pod 😂 I still have to finish The Marriage Portrait, which is my 14th read of the longlist. And trying to get my hands on Black Butterflies now!
Thanks! Hope you enjoy the rest of O'Farrell.
I am currently reading The Bees by Laline Paull.
Ooouhwee!!! There’s a plus to working nights! I’m up for thisssss!
Glad to see you here! 👍📚
What a surprise that Pod made the list! And hurray for Black Butterflies!🎉
I'm glad Joyce was there to support you 😂! Everyone's reaction to Pod is cracking me up. Those muffins look fantastic.
My emotional support author! 😄
Thank you, they are delicious too.
Well done, Eric, four from six is a good result. I'm really looking forward to reading Trespasses soon.
Thanks! Hope you enjoy it!
Having read and loved David Copperfield a few years ago, I saw the similarities but did not find it distracting. I absolutely LOVE Demon Copperhead and hope it wins! I was rooting for Wandering Souls to be shortlisted. I have Pod and Black Butterflies left to read from the shortlist.
4/6 of my wishlist made it so overall I am happy. Sad about Wandering Souls and The Bandit Queens. Super happy that Trespasses made it, that’s my fave from the list. I just adored it!!
Ah great! I am really hoping to reread Trespasses.
I love that the suspense lasted until the last envelope! I look forward to reading the novels on the shortlist!
😊😅
Yours was the first reaction video I watched. 😊 Go Kingsolver!!
Thank you! I love watching everyone’s and hearing what everyone thinks.
Loved the video. Your enthusiasm and passion are contagious. I feel as invested in DC as you are. The other one I read on the shortlist was Tresspasses, I appreciated it, but I didn't love it.
Thanks! 😊📚
I managed to read 12 of the Longlist in the end, and I have two left to read that have made the shortlist: very much looking forward to Black Butterflies and Trespasses. Very interesting shortlist, but I’m a bit surprised about Pod. Come on Demon! 😊📚
Yes! 💙 Hope you enjoy Trespasses as much as I did!
"Oh, Joyce, what are we going to do?"
😅😅😅
I loved seeing your reactions! I am sad Wandering Souls didn't make it. Pod? Wow. That one shocked me for some reason. I have not read Black Butterflies yet, but I do want to get to it. What fun this was!
Rhubarb-walnut? sounds good. I too used to like baking, as I grew up in the North but nowadays I live in South Florida and therefore dread - even the thought - turning on the oven. My life has become more complicated this past month so my reading is progressing slower than Jan/Feb. Which means I've had to put Demon Copperhead on the back burner, at around 20%. Nonetheless, I expect to finish it in two weeks or so but obviously have nothing new to add to the conversation here. Thx for post - enjoyed.
Awww I was hoping you'd learn Demon was shortlisted quicker than you did!! It made for a great reaction video though 😂 Was sweet to see you finally reveal it!! I'm SO happy it's on the shortlist ❤ loved POD. Interested to see what you make of it! Need to read Black Butterflies and Fire Rush next! Marriage Portrait and Trespasses are also incredible! What a list!! 🎉
Great thoughts! I could feel the tension waiting for that final card to be revealed :)
😬 thank you!
I'm delighted for Fire Rush as I thought that was really fresh. I enjoyed Marriage Portrait but I didn't think it was Maggie O'Farrell's best.
Yeah, that seems to be the consensus about O'Farrell's novel. I think for me it was a case of reading it at the right time as I was very in the mood for this kind of historical story.
Really enjoyed watching this, Eric. I'm pleased that The Marriage Portrait made it to the shortlist. That's the only one I've read that made it! I DNF'ed Pod. Just not my cup of tea at all. And I'm so pleased that Demon Copperhead made it to the shortlist for you! The best reaction ☺
Thanks so much! 😊
Thanks!
Grateful for your reviews! I heard negative reviews about Demon Copperfield, but now, listening to you and reading the comments, I must give it a go. Thanks
Thank you! That's much appreciated. I'm so glad you're going to give Demon Copperhead a try - hope you enjoy it and find it as moving as I did. And I'd be eager to hear what you think once you've had a chance to read it.
Really sad that The Bandit Queens didn't make the cut 😢. So far The Marriage Portrait is my favourite and I'm part way through DC and loving it so far. I wasn't drawn to Fire Rush but will read it now. 📚
The intro to this video is so joyful and funny, I love when you talked to your shirt, hoping Demon Copperhead would be in the envelope 😂 I'm so glad it was there! Even though Leena Norms on TH-cam couldn't finish it and I really appreciate her reviews 😝 Also, the muffins, the colorful envelopes, so sweet!
Haha, thank you! Yeah, I adore Leena and respect her opinions. But it’s the fun thing about books that we have different reactions and reading experiences. 😊📚
Love the envelope reveal! ✨
Thanks! 😊
I love that you brought your muffins to show us on the video! I am so surprised that Wandering Souls and I'm a Fan didn't make it! I'm still going to read Children of Paradise :)
Thanks! They’re so good; I find it hard to only eat one.
I'm really, really happy that Pod and Fire Rush made the list. I hope one of them wins! Black Butterflies unfortunately didn't work for me at all, but hopefully you have more luck with it. And brace yourself: Pod is very violent...
Ooh, thanks for the warning! 😬
Your reaction to the Demon Copperhead envelope! ❤ I have read two of these, Trespasses and Demon Copperhead, both of which I loved; Fire Rush is finally coming to me from the library to pick up tomorrow; and I own the other three but haven't read them. Black Butterflies and Pod intrigued me so much I ordered them from across the pond! I have a feeling this is a very strong shortlist.
😊📚 Hope you enjoy Fire Rush!
I loved Demon Copperhead but as a Brit (living abroad for many years) there were whole passages I didn't get. Of course I understood and loved and ike a Dickensian novel it did had a great end because he (Dickens) and she (Kingslover) had and has great faith in people. I have faith in some, my husband, my family and friends ... and people who like books basically!
I love this! Just waking up to the news here in Colorado….and while I have long held to a certainty Demon would be this year’s winner I was a bit anxious watching your unveiling its being overlooked! What a great list…I am a bit disappointed that Wandering Souls was overlooked and I did find Cursed Bread and Homesick significant reads this past months I am not entirely shocked they were left out. The book I was most excited to read and is enroute my library is Black Butterflies and I plan to absorb Fire Rush first. Pod is the only one that, simply said, interests me not at all. Here we go … onto June! Thanks, Eric…those muffins look delicious - GO DEMON!
Thank you! And yeah, such a shame about Wandering Souls. Hope you enjoy Fire Rush and Black Butterflies.
As a bloke, I am drawn towards reading Demon Copperhead and Trespasses; and Pod intrigues.
Oh my god, such tension with the final pick 😅 For you and for me - absolutely loved Demon Copperhead. I'm looking forward to getting to Marriage Portrait in particular!
Right?! I hope you enjoy The Marriage Portrait! 📚
Oh my goodness, I too was concerned that Demon Copperhead wasn't listed 😮. So glad it is !
Reading Demon Copperhead currently and thoroughly enjoying it. Next up for me will be Trespases and after seeing the comments here, Wandering Souls is going onto my TBR as well! Loved watching your reactions, Erik!! 😂❤
Ah, great! Glad you’re enjoying it and I definitely recommend Wandering Souls.
I got 4 out of the 6 didn’t like trepass or pod wondering souls should have been there xx
I have Demon C on reserve at my library, but am 150 in line! Ugh! Anyway, maybe I should read the Dickens DC, but I don’t want it to ruin it for me….loved The Marriage Portrait!
Oh no! It’s clearly a popular one and hopefully the library will get more copies.
Enjoy the muffins! They sound delicious. Great announcement video.
Thanks!
4/6 is great predicting!
😇📚
Personally, I think *not* having read David Copperfield is better. I read it too recently and for me it's like being able to see the stitching. I'm so intrigued (/nervous!) to read Pod but cannot wait to read Black Butterflies. Wandering Souls and The Bandit Queens were my favourite, but I enjoyed Trespasses too.
Interesting! Hope you enjoy Black Butterflies.
i love every time you say "Demon Cop-ah-head" 😂
I'm such a ham! 😅😊
Haha brilliant video! So sad that Wandering Souls didn’t make it but really happy for you and Joyce re Demon C! 🎉
😊😄 thank you!
I managed to read all 16 books by 3 am this morning and all three of the books I finished were shortlisted.
I loved Pod and Demon Copperhead and also enjoyed The Marriage Portrait don’t know why people thinks it’s her worst
I have ordered Demon Copperhead, so I look forward to reading that. I'm so glad Trespasses is shortlisted as it's my favourite book this year.
Would be interested to know why Tomorrow X3 didn't make the shortlist - why do you think?
Very bummed that Wandering Souls didn’t make it. And very shocked that Pod did. Oy.
I’ve only read Trespasses so far and loved it. I’ll be reading The Marriage Portrait and Black Butterflies before the winner is announced. I definitely want to read The Bandit Queens too.
There's no keeping those dolphins down! 🐬So glad to hear you'll be reading The Bandit Queens. Such a funny and moving novel. But hope you enjoy The Marriage Portrait and Black Butterflies too.
the drama of demon copperhead being left to last!!!! 😂 overall i’m pleased with the shortlist - it’s only got 2 of my favourite 6 from the longlist, but they were by far my favourite two. the kingsolver to win!!!!
It was so tense! 😅📚 Glad you’re Team Kingsolver!
Even though I had hoped Wandering Souls would made the cut, I think this shortlist is interesting and strong. I’m going to read them all and I’m finishing Trespasses tonight! . Next up: Pod.
Great, hope you enjoyed Trespasses as much as I did.
@@EricKarlAnderson I loved Trespasses…it’s an excellent classic-style novel. Such strong characters, sense of place and time, pace. Really just perfectly written. I also sort of love that Louise Kennedy is a debut author at 55. Now Pod… we’ll see. I have a background in wildlife biology but having started it last night…I’m not sure it’s for me. Going forward though! Looking forward to your thoughts!
the muffin😻
Five of my six favorites made the shortlist, which makes me very happy. Pod was actually my least favorite of all 16 so I suppose that’s a fair trade. Rooting for DC. Your reaction to that last card cracked me up! Very happy for Black Butterflies. I think it resonates very powerfully with the situation in Ukraine. Adored Trespasses and Marriage Portrait and think Fire Rush is very powerful. Great shortlist! And the rhubarb muffins sound delicious!
Pod, oh dear. I am happy enough with the other five and my hunch is that Black Butterflies could take it (though I'd be equally happy if Demon Copperhead or The Marriage Portrait won).
I am most excited to read Demon Copperhead and The Marriage Portrait! I've already read Trespasses and thought it was good.
Your copy of Demon Copperhead says 'winner of the women's prize for fiction' 🤔
The "winner" bit is referring to the author, not the book 😊
@@annamariamaroula4744 ah okay that makes sense 😂😂
I own Demon Copperhead but still haven't read it. Part of me wants to read David Copperfield first.
Which book would you recommend as second best behind Demon Copperhead?
I got only 2 right, and it's crazy to me that Wandering Souls didn't make it to the shortlist
🤣 I’m a TH-cam lurker and never comment, but your build up to the last card, and reaction to Demon Copperhead, is hilarious! I’ve only read Cursed Bread from the longlist but unfortunately was quite disappointed - feel like it’s blurbed / spoken about in a way that doesn’t actually reflect it’s content. Glad to see Pod made the cut as half of the other shortlisted books are relatively ‘mainstream’
Thank you! 😊📚
What a cutie with your homemade muffins. So funny you worrying about Demon Copperhead! Black Butterflies is really great, I think you'll enjoy it.
Haha, thanks! 😊
I'm a bit disappointed since Wandering souls wasn't included. Although I?m happy since Fire Rush is included. I'm rerading Fire Rush now and I'm enjoying a lot
Great! Glad Fire Rush holds up to a second read. 💛
After discussing Demon Copperhead with other readers it seemed that those who had read the Dickens didn't love Kingsolver's adaptation so much. I was intrigued by this so went and read the Dickens myself after finishing Demon Copperhead and I'm really happy I had read it that way around! Ultimately Demon and David come from very very different class backgrounds and I find this almost makes them difficult to compare in terms of where each book takes you... I enjoyed both but felt Kingsolver used Character names and I guess some plot points to direct her novel but overall the trajectory is incomparable. Also I feel if I had read the Dickens beforehand I would have taken Kingsolver's darker subject matter to be quite an extreme thing to impress onto the original template but I think she must've used the original very sparingly because they feel contrasting more than similar...I hope this makes some sense!
Makes sense to me - I'm really only just get started on it but thought so far it's paralleled too closely because there's little dramatic tension knowing what happened to David and expecting the parallel will happen to Demon. However, I'll have a clearer idea when I've made more progress - thx!
Your reactions made my early hustling to work morning so much better! The Shortlist was the first thing I saw when I woke up this morning, and then I jumped on TH-cam to see if you posted. Then when you mentioned rhubarb scones, reading the books from the list today and your husband I was like I want his life, but I'll take a transgender wife or cis women over the husband. Where can I sign up?!
Awe, that’s so good to hear. And I know I’m lucky. 😊📚
You waiting for Demon Copperhead 😂😂😂 So happy for you!!
😅💙
After your comments about David Copperfield I wonder whether the judges have read it or not… It looks like the reading of Demon Copperhead would be completely different if one has read David Copperfield🤔
Looking forward to your reaction to Pod. I thought I would like it, the concept seemed pretty neat, but the experience was like being hit repeatedly over the head with a huge cartoon mallet while someone screamed "Humans Bad!" in my face. The message was not subtle. Really happy to see Black Butterflies on the list though! That's my favourite, but I somehow didn't think they'd go for it.
I have heard it described as Finding Nemo with lots of dolphin sex. Not my cup of tea. 😢
@@allisonryder4781 A dystopian Finding Nemo with lots of dolphin gang rape more like. 😕
Our predictions did well in the end! It's a shame you pulled out the two wild cards first!
Haha! I know! It made me think at first ‘I got this completely wrong!’
I am shocked Pod is on here and Bandit Queens didn’t make it 😄
Shortlist time can be such a sad time. I am happy for The Marriage Portrait. I'm so sad to not see Wandering Souls or Bandit Queens either. I haven't read Fire Rush, Black Butterflies and Demon Copperhead.
Yeah, those two were so strong but we can keep being cheerleaders for them. 😄
It was hard to concentrate after I heard rhubarb and walnut, but go Maggie!
Haha! They are so good I find it hard to only eat one.
OMG Demon Copperhead won the Pulitzer!!!!!!!
Tie with TRUST!
@@franciscaneumann1803 I predicted Trust would get the win after not getting onto the Shortlist, but a tie! Didn’t expect that coming.
Dear Eric, I'm a 1995 born idiot who is gay, lonely but pretty much into books. MA English grad. But then it's getting very hard for me to concentrate on books. Give me some way or ideas. Thank you😊 India
Shame about Glory. Have read 4 out of the 6. Not read Black Butterflies or Fire Rush. Really liked Pod and the other 4. Difficult to predict the winner
Yeah, but Glory has got so much attention so it’s good it’s so well respected.
I was hoping not to have to read Pod 😢
Out of 6 books, which books are in Political Fictions and Coming of age type?? Please say this....
I can't believe Glory is not shortlisted.
Demon or Marriage Portrait for the win! I've no interest in the other four.
That Pod made it but Memphis didn't is disappointing and makes me wonder what other non-literary factors go into these decisions.
Why is there a women’s prize? Does it matter if the author is male or female? Either it is a good book to enjoy, or it’s not.
Demon. Demon. Demon.
You are the second book reviewer on TH-cam who says they haven't read David Copperfield. I am confused.🤫
Why is there a Women's Prize for fiction? Is there a Man's Prize for fiction? Women prizes in athletics makes sense. But IMO this is even insulting women as if they can't compete on the same literary playing field - need their own.
Ha! Reading Pod currently, started it earlier today. Read Bandit Queens, Memphis, marriage portrait, Memphis and Demon Copperhead, the latter has my vote . 📖🪱💚