I completely understand why this book is not for everyone, but it was my favorite of the 13, and I thought it was a very strong longlist. Truly a special novel.
@@DrugsPlus Yes! I put out a video last week with an overview of the longlist and its themes, and then my personal choices for the shortlist (it’s called: ‘The 2024 Booker Prize Longlist- A Review, Key Themes and My Shortlist Hopes’) I am often so wrong with my predictions, and especially this year I can’t get a read on the judges, but I talk about a few I’m fairly certain will make it. Thanks for stopping by!
Hearing your review, I think I may have done the book a disservice by listening to it on audio. You mentioned emails etc, which of course, I didn’t see.. I liked how the story began, but not how it ended.
Ahh, totally fair. Yeah, some of the middle part could have easily been cut without losing much development I think, though I liked the overall effect of the book.
This was my least favorite from the longlist unfortunately. Simply couldn’t get past how antiquated the characters felt despite the novel being set in the nineties and 2000s. I’m not a fan of Victorian novels so I think this just wasn’t for me. I am surprised it made the longlist
Aha yes! I was a bit jarred whenever the year was mentioned, because I was definitely imagining a good 80 years earlier at least! I guess it was to make the main character seem a bit more detached from the others, but it was odd at times.
I loved this book and I’m jealous that you still have Perry’s Essex Serpent to look forward to. I think this is an exploration of human kindness and there is a suggestion that the purest form of love may be Platonic or unrequited. Beautifully written, devoid of cynicism.
I really liked it even if it wasn't perfect, I was so happy to see Sarah Perry nominated :) Happy to see you liked it, it looks like on booktube it gets mostly negative reviews.
I completely understand why this book is not for everyone, but it was my favorite of the 13, and I thought it was a very strong longlist. Truly a special novel.
Yes! Such a touching book!
Best review of this book that I have seen! It was my first Sarah Perry and I look forward to reading more of her books.
Ahh, thank you so much! And yes, I found something about her style so captivating!
This is a beautiful novel. I also have plans to read Essex Serpent now, as this is my first Sarah Perry book. Great review!
will you be giving your shortlist predictions + wishes once you've read them all?
@@DrugsPlus Yes! I put out a video last week with an overview of the longlist and its themes, and then my personal choices for the shortlist (it’s called: ‘The 2024 Booker Prize Longlist- A Review, Key Themes and My Shortlist Hopes’)
I am often so wrong with my predictions, and especially this year I can’t get a read on the judges, but I talk about a few I’m fairly certain will make it.
Thanks for stopping by!
Hearing your review, I think I may have done the book a disservice by listening to it on audio. You mentioned emails etc, which of course, I didn’t see.. I liked how the story began, but not how it ended.
Ahhh, that’s interesting. Did the audiobook make it clear when it was switching to an email?
It felt so promising at the start, but ultimately didn't work for me. Overwritten and at least a hundred pages too long.
Ahh, totally fair. Yeah, some of the middle part could have easily been cut without losing much development I think, though I liked the overall effect of the book.
This was my least favorite from the longlist unfortunately. Simply couldn’t get past how antiquated the characters felt despite the novel being set in the nineties and 2000s. I’m not a fan of Victorian novels so I think this just wasn’t for me. I am surprised it made the longlist
The language was wrong for the time period!
Aha yes! I was a bit jarred whenever the year was mentioned, because I was definitely imagining a good 80 years earlier at least! I guess it was to make the main character seem a bit more detached from the others, but it was odd at times.
I loved this book and I’m jealous that you still have Perry’s Essex Serpent to look forward to. I think this is an exploration of human kindness and there is a suggestion that the purest form of love may be Platonic or unrequited. Beautifully written, devoid of cynicism.
Yes! So excited to read more of hers! And I love that reading of it- you’re so right about her uncynical approach. Her style felt so human and warm.
I really liked it even if it wasn't perfect, I was so happy to see Sarah Perry nominated :) Happy to see you liked it, it looks like on booktube it gets mostly negative reviews.
Yes! And yeah, it seems to have not fully landed for a few people, which is fair, but I’m glad a book with this much heart made it onto the list.
I thought Melmoth was even better than The Essex Serpent. Enlightenment is now on my list. Thanks for the review.
Ooh, good to hear! I’m so excited to delve into her writing!