Judging the Women’s Prize for Fiction Longlist By Their First Lines | 2024
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ก.ย. 2024
- Before I actually get started on reading the @Womens_Prize for Fiction longlist 2024, I thought it could be fun to judge them all (and rank them all) by their first lines. Yes, you may be thinking that this sounds very similar to @louisesavidgemuses4135 latest video… that’s because they were meant to be spliced together but we’ve both been a bit time poor, so you’ve two videos, how similar are our tastes in first lines, well you tell me. Hope you enjoy it, more soon. #BookTube #WomensPrizeForFiction #Books
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Books Mentioned…
Hangman by Maya Binyam
In Defence of the Act by Effie Black
And Then She Fell by Alicia Elliott
The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright
The Maiden by Kate Foster
Brotherless Night by V. V. Ganeshananthan
Restless Dolly Maunder by Kate Grenville
Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad
Soldier Sailor by Claire Kilroy
8 Lives of a Century Old Trickster by Mirinae Lee
The Blue, Beautiful World by Karen Lord
Western Lane by Chetna Maroo
Nightbloom by Peace Adzo Medie
Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan
River East, River West by Aubrey Rey Lescure
A Trace of Sun by Pam Williams
Me Elsewhere…
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Just finished The Maiden, it was recommended by a friend as I would never have picked it up based on the cover which I agree is mildly offensive 😊. I was however pleasantly surprised by the book, it zipped along and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Oooh that sounds really promising. And I did like that first line.
Well, well, well 😊 We had 4 in common in our top 6. Very interesting 🧐 So enjoyed watching you juggle those books 😂😂😂❤❤❤
Honestly I think I deserve some sort of award for bulk book holding 🤣
I just finished River East, River West last night and thought it was BRILLIANT. It's my favorite read of the year so far now---fingers crossed it makes the shortlist, though now I've started Enter Ghost and am thinking it has winning potential too!
I enjoyed River East, River West a lot too. Will it make my shortlist? Will Enter Ghost? Oooh we will have to see.
This was so fun! I may have to steal the idea for another longlist sometime… but maybe with online previews 😂
Very cool that you’ve got those events on. Really enjoyed Pachinko Parlour so will definitely pick up Vladivostok Circus if it’s longlisted (otherwise I won’t have time).
Had considered popping along to the Armistead Maupin event, partly just to say hi, but sadly a little too steep when I’ve not read any of his books. Sounds like a wonderful event and well worth the price of admission for fans of the Tales of the City series though. It’s lovely that it means so much to you and you get to interview him (again!)
I’m really looking forward to seeing Armistead again, very special books to me and I think it’s our fourth or fifth time doing an event. I may get comps, I’ll check what my contract says tomorrow and if not just ask the team.
@@SavidgeReads That would be such a treat 🙌 (And of course, no worries at all if not!)
Ben, If you can get the series on DVD, you won't have to catch up by reading all the books at once. 😀 It's a great series. I am so stoked for the new book!
It does make it a bit more intriguing when choosing a next read to hear the first line (especially when some of us almost want to avoid the blurb in its entirety for "fear" of being told too much). I might have to do that when going book shopping in the future!
The fact that you chose River East, River West as your number one didn't surprise me, haha. Agree that it's a good one for sure!
Hope you have a fab time seeing Armistead Maupin again - made me really happy to hear how his books made a difference in your life, and how incredible that you have worked your way to a position to have conversations with these authors 🧡 And I hope you have a great time at West Kirby as well of course.
Here's to more sunshine as we move closer to your birthday and time off! 🤗
I looooooove Armistead and it’s such a treat to have got to know him and had the pleasure of hosting him a few times. River East River West was the one I started with in the end. I need to keep doing that I think going forward.
Hi Simon V enjoyable! Just goes to show the importance of the opening sentence!
Hahaha. I’ve also since learnt how misleading some first sentences can be!
Loved this video. Just finished River East, River West and my lips are sealed🤐
Oooh we can discuss in due course!
River East River West was really compelling on audiobook. It's such an interesting novel. Happy Reading.
I enjoyed it. Didn’t LOVE it but liked it a lot.
That was a very funny romp through the list! 😂 Most excited to start Tales of the City though, thanks to you!
Oooh hope you have enjoyed the first one, or however many you’ve now read… that series is addictive.
This is how I’m going to be deciding what book to read next in my TBR from now on 😂
Hahaha. It’s quite helpful.
I agreed with you on all of these! Will say I’m almost done with The Wren, The Wren and am finding it as exciting as its first line. 🤨 I haven’t been able to get ahold of all the books on the longlist in the US. I’m reading what I can get and hoping I’ve got the shortlist in these.
Oooh interesting I really ended up liking The Wren The Wren. But we can’t all like the same books. Excited the shortlist is imminent.
Loved this Simon. I watched your mother’s video and was equally brilliant. I’m visiting Liverpool for the first time ever this weekend. A visit to your former place of work, the library. Any suggestions on places to visit?
If you're going to the library, the area around that is fantastic. There is St George's Hall, The Museum and The Walker Art Gallery. All worth a visit. I'd recommend a hop on hop off tour bus, a great way to see the sights. I hope you have a lovely time in my home city! Best Wishes 💕
@@fozzymup268 thank you that’s wonderful
I’m sooooooo sorry that I missed this message. I would have said say hello, and given you a list of places to go but as you may have seen from my vlogs it’s been a bit of a bonkers time. Hope you had a fabulous visit?
@@SavidgeReads it was amazing thank you. I am now in love with Liverpool. But in northern Scotland at the moment and the scenery is breathtaking. Take care
That's such a fun concept haha! And you're not the first to complain about the font in In Defense of the Act - just ordered it 🙃
Brotherless Nights's first line really surprised me haha but I'm in!
I felt that sunshine rant 😂
The font was ratchet, the book was brilliant. I’m now reading the last of the list… Brotherless Night. I’ll be filming my shortlist predictions tomorrow.
@@SavidgeReads haha yeah I wasn't keen on it when I opened it, but started reading and really enjoying it up to now!
That was fun, Simon! Thanks🌷I’m happy you’re starting with River East River West as it’s one of the books I’m intrigued by. I must admit that I find the cover and end papers of Restless Dolly Maunder quite irresistible. It’s not the only reason why I would read it… but I really, really like them😅
Hahahaha endpapers can be a treat. I maybe need to remember to look at those when I am doing my vlogs going forward. Maybe.
Those interval fast forwards always give me a laugh😂 I know I won’t read all of the WP long list but hope of the ones I do, at least one or two will end up on the short list. River East River West was my first fav too, Enter Ghost, also Brotherless Night, 8 lives etc. by ML and Restless Dolly Maunder. Loved this video Simon and also your moms when she did this. Great fun! Look forward to the catch-up video on Tues!😀📚
I hope you’ve managed to get to some of the longlist. There are some absolute corkers in the mix. I think there could be a very, very good shortlist in there… depending what they pick.
I'm not one to care much about first lines because I don't see them actually reflecting on the rest of the novel all that much. However, this was very fun to watch, and Simon you're just so naturally charming and funny. Off to watch Mum's video now. Cheers
Glad you enjoyed it even if you weren’t sure at first hahahaha 😉
you're so right, the maiden's cover is absolutely giving ya! I quite like it, but in the same way that I like a colourful paperchase (rip) journal - despite the guillotine, the art implies a certain lightness?? interesting to see if that comes across in the novel itself
That will be interesting and a big thank you as I think as I read them I shall reflect on the covers and the first lines and how they reflect on the books in the videos I think!
I loved this technique of first sentence reading from the artist formerly known... Should def' do this again. I'm starting with the "neon microwave."
She was much more eloquent than me… and a bit nicer. Hahahaha.
Talk amongst yourselves!!😂😂 Also I am here for sun in March to usher in birthday month! River East, River West is one of the longlisted books that I genuinely want to read so I may bump that up to read it while you are reading it. Looking forward to the Int’l Booker longlist tomorrow and your chatty video on Tuesday!
I’m intrigued for the International Booker longlist, it always points out how little I am aware of what’s out in translation though which is a bit embarrassing. I am hoping to read the shortlist, let’s see what the longlist has on it first.
@@SavidgeReads After I Who Have Only Known Men, I am ready for some more great translated fiction!
I am interested to read 'Soldier, Sailor', 'The Wren, The Wren' and '8 Lives of a Century Old Trickster'. Not bothered about the rest. Waiting for paperbacks, however so I only have the 1st one! Hopefully something interesting from Booker International tomorrow!
Fair enough.
So many of these books are new to me. I have no clue which ones are going to be shortlisted. It was much more predictable next year.
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I am absolutely crying at your reaction to Western Lane first line 😂😂😂
Haha. Apparently my mother found this video very funny too!
I like the first sentence idea, already saw your mom's video. It seems a better indicator of what's inside than most of the blurbs. I don't like crime/murder so I wouldn't have prioritized Ordinary Human Feelings, but it was my favorite first line of all the ones you read. This is why I watch the BookTubes, to expand my tbr 😀
I'm halfway through the 8 Lives audiobook, and I can report that it has nothing to do with the divorcee so far. I think she may be primarily a framing device. The blurb is also misleading. The book is way better, but much more serious, than the blurb (or first sentence) led me to believe.
I wonder if judging a book by its cover would be a better way to view this long list than by the blurbs? Those Kate Grenville end papers are the best! Hope they do that for the American edition.
Also, so glad that Tales of the City had such a positive impact on your life! The series does have a gentle quality, like a cozy mystery before it was trendy to label things cozy. 💛
Tales of the City series is such a special series in my life. It was fab doing another event with Armistead. I loooooved 8 Lives. I really, really looooooooved Ordinary Human Failings.
I really enjoyed your mum’s reactions of each first line so now looking forward to yours. 🎉 I feel the Maiden cover looks like some other novels covers :(
I like the way you class them :) I am looking forward to picking up River East , River West. This is the only one I will have time for before the short list.
Hope you enjoy them Jane. Wonder how similar Mum and I will be.
I agree with your order 🎉
Good video idea, interesting to see very different responses to your mum. I enjoyed River East, River West it has lots of similar themes and discussions to Nightbloom.
Oooh it’ll be really interesting to see what themes link and make the longlist talk to each other. And how the shortlists of each prize may do the same.
Love the video and adore your jumper!! You always have the best knitwear 😅
I love a jumper. I have a magpie eye for them. Lol.
And Then She Fell is incredible. My fav read last year ♥
I’m looking forward to it!
@@SavidgeReads Can't wait to see what you think. It's a wild fever dream lol
I tried with ' And then she fell' but couldn't get on with it... might come back to it at a later point, or see what the shortlist has.
I haven’t headed to that one yet. Will be later this week and will report back. Ha.
I’ve read a few chapters of The Maiden and enjoying to so far. It gives me Stacey Halls/Laura Purcell vibes
I enjoyed it a lot. I then read the new Stacey Halls though and that is next level.
I just finished Chetna Maroo's Western Lane. I need to digest all that squash. Interesting.
Ha there’s was less squash than I expected.
@@SavidgeReads Such an interesting read. I admire her ability to say so much in the negative spaces between the words.
Quite frankly, this is how the Booker panel should judge contenders for the prize.
Hahahahaha. Imagine!!!!
Great video as usual, very nice sweater.
Thanking you very much!
Now that you have your order, based on the first lines, I wonder if it will determine (or at least influence) the order in which you read them. If so, would you start with the least intriguing or the most? I look forward to finding out.
Hahaha. It didn’t at all. As you may have seen. It sort of started that way… then I went off on one.
Simon, are you going to read the books in the order of first lines? Interesting to see if you would put the books in the same order once you have read them all.
I don’t think I will read them in that order no. I’ve so much travel some of it will be which books I’ve proofs of and any that maybe I can get in paperback on route.
I want to steal your jumper lol. Where did you get it? Is it cotton?
I think it’s a Zara find, I only do 100% cotton or proper wool now, our skins deserve it.
Do you think this is the order you’ll read them in? I really want to read The Maidens and I believe I have Brotherless Night so I’ll probably read that first. I think it’s the only one I have. I’m curious to see what you all love so I can decide if I’ll add them to my tbr for next year.
I started reading them in that order and then went off on several tangents. Haha. Hope you’ve enjoyed what your read from the list!
I read solider sailer people’s failings 8 lives of a tricker maiden enjoyed but now reading blue beautiful world and stuggling x
We can’t all love every book on the list. Could be a timing thing too. Maybe it’ll get better.
I’ve only read two
The Wren, The Wren
Ordinary Human Failings
Currently listening to
Solider, Sailor
I have copies of
The Maiden
And Then She Fell
Enter Ghost ( which I’ve started & predicted to win)
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It’s a bit on the old bland side that innit 😂😂😂 I just watched Louise’s video earlier and I think there are more similarities on the visuals than the first lines so far (halfway through)
Hahaha same books and same room so that would make sense. Hahaha.
@@SavidgeReads Haha well yeah, but I meant the visuals of the books, your reactions to the neon covers and the wallpapery insides of the covers whatever they’re called 🌿🦜🍃
I started hangman and your favorite!
Oooh!! Hope you’re enjoying them.
They are quite short sentences though, aren't they. I'm heading for Enter Ghost next.
They were all quite short, I hadn’t spotted that.
Funny, I felt like the flight one did what a first line should do. You immediately asked questions which is what an author should do in an opening. The terrorist one, the emmisary one and human failings were good. The River East was too wordy. Couple of duds there. I'm reading Soldier Sailor atm, but it's not v impressive. It's quite a relentless rant and a lot of man hating. I can see how some might like it but not prizeworthy. Doesn't seem to have a plot with any momentum, more of a rant about the isolation and desperation of new motherhood and cry for help.
I did go back at the end and say the flight one did do more for me when I reread it and then moved it higher up the pile. Maybe you missed that. I looooved that first line of River East, River West. Totally hooked me.
@SavidgeReads yes, I heard you reappraise it. I actually choose books based on the blurb and first line.
I dnf'd Western lane because I just was bored, the writing style was just not for me (basically a lot of he did this and then we did that).
Oooh dear. Will have to see how I get on with it.
I tried to read western lane for your reading challenge and dnf’d it unfortunately. Just reserved Maiden at the library. Only one I can picture myself reading.
We can’t all love every book. I am intrigued by them all to varying degrees. I think it’s the unknown.
Best Cover: Soldier Sailor
Worst Cover: Western Lane
Best First Line: Hangman
Most Meh first line : A Trace of Sun
I like the US cover of Western Lane much better!
@@deborahaguruso Agreed
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The artist formerly known as your mother was much more positive in her one-liner reviews.🤣
I think she was more giddy having just opened the box or maybe I’m just a much harsher judge!
@@SavidgeReadsMy fave was when you held up the Anne Enright book and said, "It wasn't awful." 🤣
😂😂😂