This years Women's Prize Longlist is the BEST EVER
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ก.ค. 2024
- I have read 16 books on the @WomensPrizeforFiction longlist. I have given every book an honest and detailed review, I hope you like.
While most of the opinions are very positive, there are some negative opinions and I would like to remind you all that these are just books, we can disagree.
Books Reviewed:
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 Aube Rey Lescure
A Trace of Sun by Pam Williams
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Love the tough talking intro! 😂
😁
Loved these reviews! I loved The Maiden, and I'm glad you enjoyed it. Violet really stole the show, as you say.
I appreciate the way you give attention to the strengths of every book. I have only read four so far. It is a good point about what will stand up well to rereading. I agree that The Wren and Ghost will be advantaged by that. I would love Soldier Sailor to make the shortlist. My fourth read so far is Western Lane and I am a fan but don't expect it to be shortlisted. And Then She Fell, Ordinary Human Failings and Nightbloom are the ones I'm most keen to read next but I am in a blitz on International Booker books too.
I think that these people who read many novels are geniuses!
I have read all or most of an abridged children's version of 'Black Beauty' by Anna Sewell and that is about my limit.
Such a great summary and reviews. I also like that you gave us similar books ( in vibe or writing or themes etc) to the one you are reviewing, it helps a lot!
This was a most excellent longlist discussion Scott. I've only read a couple so far - Western Lane and The Maiden. Actually I listened to both of them. I thought Western Lane was ok, but not amazing. I was very pleasantly surprised by The Maiden. The Scottish accents added much delight to my experience, and I did actually zoom through it in just a few days. It was the most bodice rippery book I've ever read I think.
This video has helped cement two of my reads for this week. I've just finished my last audio (a rather obscure Swedish nonfiction work called Will You Care if I Die? by Nicolas Lunabba about race, poverty and teenage violence in urban Malmo, it's well worth seeking out, a side of Sweden I never thought of or knew about). I have Soldier Sailor on audio from my library at the moment, so will start that next. And then one of my next physical reads will be Ordinary Human Failings. I'm reading for #eurovisionathon at the moment, so they will cover Ireland and the UK, even though they're both Irish authors.
Have read 8 and my top 2 so far are In Defence of the Act and The Wren The Wren. Still to read Enter Ghost and Soldier Sailor which may become favourites. It’s great to see someone praising the list as I have enjoyed all the books I have read with only Restless Dolly Maunder perhaps the weakest. Disappointed that this was the Aussie pick. Great reviews Scott.
Somebody said not long after the longlist was announced, it is interesting that the only Aussie book didn't make the Stella Prize longlist. I know there are good reasons that might not happen, but it is a pity when you consider the depth of talent we have, not to have our best work on show. I would have loved to have seen The Hummingbird Project make it instead.
Thank you so much for doing this video! I have been feeling a little lackluster about the WP longlist based on the ones I’ve finished and it looks like I just got the average ones out of the way first. I feel much better about moving forward. 😊
I’m hearing your DNF message, have already DNFed 3 of these one of which is The Blue Beautiful World- nothing had happened at all and I just couldn’t be bothered anymore! Agree that it is not even great sci-fi. I don’t think it was a good stand alone and therefore shouldn’t have been in contention. I also DNFed Dolly Maunder because I was bored and River East River West because I didn’t care about either protagonist. All of them I could finish if they are shortlisted. Interesting that they were low on your list too.
I just finished In Defence of the Act and I also loved it. So maybe I need to read No one is talking about this.
Amazing reviews! You always have some of the best and most detailed reviews out there.
Great review of And Then She Fell. I think I reviewed it to quickly after finishing. My review was really positive, but I feel that if I were to review it now I would be talking about how amazing it actually is. This was also true for Nightbloom, great point about giving the book time beyond the first section. I won’t go on to complement all your reviews of the books I have read because that would constitute a small essay.
Haha, thank you. 😊
I often like books to digest for at least a week before reviewing them.
Big fan of In Defence of the Act. Not only a novel about an interesting topic, but also an interesting and quite different attempt to write about something like this and with well developed characters. I read What I'd Rather Not Talk About immediately afterwards and I would wish the International Booker would have chosen this one instead, because it's the better book on every level about the same topic.
Brilliant video! You are fast becoming my favourite Booktuber 👏😍👌
Thank you.
So interesting to hear your thoughts!! Esp your shortlist predictions/wishlists ❤
I still got quite a few left to read although I will try a chapter of each before my predictions next week. My favourite so far is Brotherless Night. ❤
Love the intro 😂 This year, I’m learning to be more comfortable with DNFing books instead of being dragged into reading slumps.
Hangman and The Big Beautiful World are two books from the longlist I probably won’t be picking up!
Thank you. Yes DNF more! Even if you get the occasional book wrong you will read more amazing books.
I always look to you to help inform my women’s prize reading & highly appreciate your honesty when expressing your opinion of the long listed books👏📚 thank you Scott!
Thank you. 😊
You really powered through these. I would rank the ones I’ve read so far as follows:
1. And Then She Fell
2. Eight Lives of a Century Old Trickster
3. Nightbloom
4. Western Lane
5. The Wren, the Wren
I was lucky enough to have a considerable head start having read 8 books before it was announced.
Hangman hits hard when it all comes together, but I'm not sure it was worth the journey. Your chat gpt section was spot on 😆The Blue, Beautiful World makes a lot more sense if you've read the first two books in the series. I enjoyed it but also absolutely agree it shouldn't be on the longlist (and also, the description the judges had of it was completely wrong, like wtf WP judges?!?) While I agree with you about the pacing of Brotherless Night, I was never bored - which is not something I can say about The Maiden. The build up there took way too long. I have 4 1/2 books left to read, including your no.1 (which I have saved because I am sure I will love it). Currently your no.2 is in my top spot.
Wonderful reviews of the Women's Prize for Fiction Longlisted books. I agree that this longlist is just amazing this year!!
Amazing!! 🙌🏻 This is how to BookTube!
I can’t decide between Enter Ghost and Ordinary Human Failings. The former made me so angry because (of course) I was reading within the context of current events. I kept screaming at my husband, “CAN YOU BELIEVE WHAT THEY DO?!?! CAN YOU?” But I did find Sonia a little cool and stilted as a character, and I was oddly ambivalent toward her. I also think there was some excess that could have been trimmed, like her fling with her castmate. But overall this is a very very powerful portrayal of a reality we’re all starting to see unfurl before our eyes. And the ending! 🥺
Ordinary Human Failings made me very emotional (which admittedly doesn’t take much sometimes) and I still ache for these characters. They not only didn’t fit in, but they were well aware they didn’t fit in and what is more painful than that? They were outcasts in Ireland too, really. But at least their accent wasn’t an added stigma there. I don’t know, this book drove my empathy into high gear and that’s something I cherish in literature. I wanted to give Carmel and her brother big hugs. Still do.
I agree with your critique of Brotherless Night, about the pacing. It was a hell of a propulsive story, but maybe the preamble was a little too long. If she had gotten involved with the TIgers a little sooner, maybe that would have helped.
I think you know where I land on Soldier Sailor. But it is done exquisitely well. I wouldn’t be surprised - or mad - if it took the prize. It’s about something that doesn’t get the attention it needs. So many times I’ve told other mothers that giving birth is what every woman fears, but in my opinion that’s the easiest part of the whole first year of motherhood. And I did it without drugs. Soldier Sailor captures that.
I’m just getting to part two of Nightbloom. Curious to see if Selassi’s version of events changes my opinion of Akorfa. Because I don’t like her much at this point.
Okay. My long-winded assessment is complete. Amazing video, my friend. Worth the wait! You’re certainly among the most talented BookTubers out there.
I'm curious to see how (also if and when) your opinions change as you read Nightbloom.
I've read 5, so far, not sure which one on the list will be up next. It depends on what becomes available at the library. I'm also reading from the WP NF list, The Stella and a few from the International Booker plus trying to read more poetry.
Brotherless night is my best read from the list, so far. I really enjoyed 8 lives... read it in one sitting, very accessible and covered a lot of ground.
River East, River West was pretty good in my estimation, I felt invested in the characters lives. As I did with Western Lane, which is the only one I read before the list and while it wasn't really for me it the story has stayed with me more than some other books that I read last year. So she certainly was adept at getting the story across.
Restless Dolly... the possibility of ND was an interesting take-away. I liked the novel because Kates fictional Grandmother reminded me much of my own Australian Nan, even though she was one generation behind. In my lifetime alone I can think of 12 different addresses in Aus that my Nan lived, at least, another 12 addresses before I came along. She managed pubs, had 3 husbands and many other relationships, she could either be the life of the party or switch to very hard to get along with. She owned a home with each husband but lived in rented accomodation when she was single, she sometimes struggled to make ends meet. When she died she didn't owe money to anyone but her estate didn't cover the modest funeral costs. When I was a young teen, she and my Mum had a fight and stopped talking for 2 years, while I had to walk past her place from school every day. They eventually started talking again when she ran across the road with an enormous cookbook that had belonged to her Grandmother to give to my Mother. No apologies, no reference to not talking for 2 years, just here's another heavy book to carry home today along with your regular high school bag, Kim. It was a long time ago now but I can remember I was a bit in shock, so didn't say anything myself. Does make you wonder if she was ND or had a PD of some kind.
Great video! Your reviews are always so thorough and well thought out. I can definitely say having finished Hangman that it never stops being a difficult book. It makes sense at the end, but it wasn’t exactly enjoyable. I just finished Century Old Trickster and think I feel similarly to you. There is so much packed into that book, a lot of it done well, but I wished it had a bit more space to breathe. I’ve completed all but 4 books, so I’m hoping to get those done this week. Now to catch up on all of my reviews for the ones I’ve read. 😅 I think your predictions are pretty solid. I would have a good laugh if Western Lane ends up winning the whole thing.
I have learnt the ending of Hangman and I don't think it makes it worth the struggle.
I would love to. See your rankings once you finish the last 4 books.
Books already read
The Wren The Wren
Ordinary Human Failings
Solider Sailor
Enter Ghost
Restless Dolly Maunder ( so many Australian/NZ books could have been picked over this)
Almost finished
Brotherless Night
Oh my goodness Scott! I hope you are doing stand up comedy somewhere on the weekends! I have started to DNF much more freely and I have you to thank for that. I dnf’d Hangman and the squash book… can’t remember its name. I have really enjoyed everything else I have read so far.
th-cam.com/video/jl1ph4_y2rw/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Vu-VJ-zQVzeULDuE
Not sure if youtube will let me post a link, but that is the only time I've done stand up.
@@GunpowderFictionPlot ha! I love it! You should do more of it. 👏🏻 👏🏻
Great review of all the books matey!
Though I’m in agreement with most of your comments, I think our rankings will actually be very different!
I do think it’s a pretty solid list though, some amazing books here and I’m still only half way through 🤩
To be honest they're wasn't a lot between some of these books. Another day it could have been a different order. Solider Sailor which I know you loved could have been much higher.
I love this video. I dnf'd The same two. The order of the books I've read would be Restless Dolly, Western Lane, Night Bloom, 8 Lives, Enter Ghost and The Wren, the Wren. I look forward to getting into the rest of your top 9 books. I've started Brotherless Night which I think might win The Carol Shields award. I've read the other 4 SL books and would probably give Daughter the prize, but they seem to be favoring historical novels.
I have my fingers crossed for Eleanor Catton for the Carol Shields, Daughter is one of two I have not read on the SL, great to know you recommend it. I'll have to find a copy.
@@GunpowderFictionPlot I read it so long ago, I keep forgetting it's in the running. It probably should win.
Great discussion. I still haven’t read any of these.
Restless dolly maunder and western lane sounded mediocre to me so I kind of looked over them quite quickly. I missed the chance to read brotherless night on review and I kind of think I made a mistake there because everyone reading it is loving it! D: the trauma of me seeing a little life flash up LOL. Everyone is loving soldier sailor but I am not sure if I am going to like it personally? I got nightbloom after seeing it get longlisted and I am so happy I did because it sounds like it is going to be perfect for me!! And I already know I need to read enter ghost and it is going to happen someday. it will.
I have been working my way through the list. I have read Hangman, Western Lane, Nightbloom,
Restless Dolly Maunder, 8 Lives of a Century-old Trickster, And Then She Fell, River East River West, Ordinary Human Failings. I am really resisting reading Soldier Sailor and In Defense of the Act. If they are short-listed, I will have to reconsider reading them. I plan to read the others on the list.
Dump it like it's a bad lover and you have self esteem!!!! ROFL!
I love what you said about River East, River West. Is Alva a Westerner longing to go west or an Easterner longing to go West. I think her identity is so confusing to her and she is trying to shape it and hammer it out. She is a teen acting out a role "distancing effect" with such superficiality that she has no real connection to herself. She was unhappy, changed her persona and environment and is again, unhappy. I wish this had completed as a coming of age story. I think it fell short of that but it had a lot of interesting themes and topics.
Great reviews. Thanks for this video!
I have read 10 out of 16 and our ratings are very similar, except for a few exceptions like The Wren, The Wren that is near the bottom of my list.
I laughed at the cold comment about immigration, everyone I know who has immigrated to Canada comments about this. How much they moved to try to keep the cold out. Even though I live in a relatively mild part of the country it is really difficult when people's bodies aren't adjusted.
Hi Scott, I finally read Soldier Sailor so I can actually weigh in regarding it against And Then She Fell and I would have ABSOLUTELY added Alicia's book to my short list vs. Soldier Sailor. With Kilroy's book, I was in the camp of - I lived this already - do I really want to read about it? lol. That said, I do think her writing was impressive and a good book too.
Yeah, there's so much more going on in And Then She Fell.
Now bear with me a second but... What if the judges shortlist your 6 lowest rated books, and chose Hangman as the winner? Would you still want them to judge every year? 👀
That is a very evil question Char. 😈😂
It's kind of like finding out you've won the lottery, but later finding out you need to share it with 20 other people. It's still a good thing, but...
Thanks!
Thank you so much. :)
OMG, I had to stop the video after the banana fingers to laugh for 10 minutes, then I showed my kids and they grabbed bananas to demonstrate. More laughing ensued. My day is already the best. Thank you!
😁🍌
‘Indoor tennis w/ murd3r ‘ 😂 💚
😁
I loved Hangman! I'd best get reading Kafka....
I’m curious if you went and found spoilers for Hangman. I did really like this book even though I knew the ending ahead of time (I tend to get stressed with any amount of suspense!) I’m not suggesting you pick it up a 3rd time but you might appreciate the amount of time you did spend reading the book slightly more?! Great video.
Thank you. 😊
I have learned the ending of Hangman, although I only found out after I DNFed it the second time. It does make some of the choices she's made with the narrative style make sense.
I DNFd And Then She Fell. It was clear Elliott had lots to say but it would have been better to focus on one or two. This is a book you're either going to love or hate. Soldier Sailor was well-written but I found it a bit boring - motherhood is hard, tell me something I dont know.
I liked Hangman! It was funny.
If the aim of Hangman was to make the reader confused and disoriented, then that worked. I didn't like it. Favourites so far are Soldier Sailor, Ordinary Human Failing, Enter Ghost and In Defence of the Act. Then Brotherless Night. The rest I found just fine, though there are four I haven't read yet. Also does your ChatGPT friend not know about voice to text typing?
Loving your reviews, but unfortunately, since I am just now finding you, how the hell am I going to get any work done when I have to binge all your videos now.
Haha, you're very kind... Also, once you've finished binging you'll have a massive TBR to get through too. Really you should just retire now. 😉
I've watched the first 30 seconds and I hope this is sarcasm otherwise how is our plod along going to go?! 🤣
Are we on the plod along together? I didn't know! I'm really excited for that. 😊🎉
@@GunpowderFictionPlot how did you not know?! It was the first thing Gemma told me after the initial "do you want to do it again?". I feel like I've spoiled a book for you before the first chapter or something! 😂 I think it's the time zone thing, we pair well in that regard. But I'm also thrilled it's you because I've had several commenters on my videos saying they know if Scott hates a book then I'll love it and vice versa, and I had not picked up on that correlation at all, so I'm looking forward to our chat about the books in May! 😁
I hadn't realised that correlation either.
Gemma did not tell me, I will have to needle her over it. I'm thrilled, I've been looking at all the double ups and wondering who I might get, hoping it was somebody awesome (which obviously it is), but also being secretly fearful that it would be somebody I didn't like. Timezones make sense. You haven't spoiled the book, you are the book!
@@GunpowderFictionPlot the new double ups idea for this year is just amazing, I've been loving watching them and I also think we are capable of doing something similar to Jen and Ben's episode where they flipped the quiz back on the hosts!! Can't wait 😍
Everyone I've seen so far has been baffled by the inclusion of The Beautiful Blue World.
I love SF, and have zero interest in reading this. It sounds like SF by and for people who don't read much SF. There are other similar books that are excellent. Also, the description of it as climate fiction is... baffling. Did the judge who put it on the list misremember what book she read? Plus, as you said, it's not the first book in the series, so even for those who will enjoy it--it's not a good starting point.
Maybe we are missing out on an excellent climate fiction novel and instead got The Beautiful Blue World. I didn't read the second half, but I don't understand the climate fiction review the judges gave it. I'd love to know what actually happened.
Appreciate you big time 📖 🪱 💚
Wow i'm less than two minutes in and this is already an amazing video... And now we have Tom Bombaddil slander??? Chef's Kiss Scott. 🤌🏼