I love what Trust does to you as a reader and the issues it so artistically brings to light. I'm thankful that it won because i may not have noticed it otherwise and now it's a personal favorite.
As always, I look forward to your thoughts, and, though I didn't make a comment at the time, when I heard the announcement, I did think of your prediction video and realized you got the best of both worlds! I think what I love most of all is that there is still a large group of people who still get this excited about books and book prizes--- the fact that this first time tie sent a ripple through the book lover community is so great. It's very heartening.
In 1998, when both The Lion King and Ragtime were up for The Tony Award for Best Musical, I didn’t understand how one could compare these two exceptional, but very different, performances and declare one “better” than the other. That was how I felt about this year’s Pulitzer Prize contest between Demon Copperhead and Trust. In my personal opinion, D.C., although beautifully written, is much more about the actual story being told - a faithful retelling of David Copperfield, while at the same time highlighting issues in present-day America. Trust, on the other hand, is much more about the storytelling and the underlying issues revealed through that storytelling technique -- not the actual story line. I greatly admire both of these authors and think they each did what they were doing brilliantly. In my book, they were equally deserving of the award and I support the award of two prizes. I completely respect opinions to the contrary. (P.S. The Lion King won.)
This was exceedingly well done. Thank you for making the time to explain to us as best you could. I’ve read both books and I preorder and read everything Barbara Kingsolver writes BUT I was with Trust. As a business owner and an economics nerd Trust was basically written for me. It speaks to our dangerous times directly and is being read by people who would never pick up a copy of The Financial Times or a book on modern monetary theory. Trust does as much heavy lifting as Demon just very differently. Personally, I did love the first half but I don’t think that’s the case for most folks. I did really love Demon too so I’m with you, this is incredible and the best of both worlds.
Since I started watching your videos, I have become more aware of the “ Pulitzer Prize books. “ I was quite surprised to find that a couple of books I have loved over the years , and a many that are on my TBR list, have been Pulitzer Prize winners. I am very appreciative of your videos and recommendations. I have just purchased the Love Songs of W.E.du Bois at my local second hand book store and I see that they also have the Underground Railroad in stock, so I am well on my way.
I first discovered the Pulitzer because I saw it mentioned on the cover of a lot of books I was reading and enjoyed, so it's actually a similar journey! I'm glad to have helped bring it to your attention.
I grew up in the foster care system and can’t wait to set time aside to thoughtfully read Demon. Thanks for this video and your thoughts on the Pulitzer, very interesting.
I loved your reaction video so much! Me, I liked the premise of Trust but did not like the execution. I didn't think the writing was up to it. Demon Copperhead is a powerful book albeit so engaging. It shows that the social and economic issues of Victorian England as described by Dickens still exist today.
Trust ‘Labouring through half of the book’! If you love reading Henry James and Edith Wharton then you will really enjoy the first story, Bonds. The second story is difficult to read but essential to the plot. I have read Demon Copperhead and Trust and enjoyed them both very much.
I was so excited 2 books won! Oddly enough, I'm way more interested in The Immortal King Rao. That seemed like a huge curveball and it sounds really interesting.
It's been on my maybe-someday TBR. This has piqued my interest in it again. Ironically, I think I may have not been as drawn to it before both because I didn't really hear anyone talking about it, and that blah cover (this is shallow, I know...)
@@erinh7450 It definitely feels like I've heard from a lot of people who had Immortal KIng Rao on their list but kinda forgotten about it (or kept delaying it). Hopefully, it gets a lot more readers now!
Might just be Google stalking me, but I still find it interesting that if I search for Pulitzer Fiction 2023 reaction, you have three of the top five spots, and Ben Reads Good has one. If I drop reaction and add controversy, you have the top three spots, plus NYT articles from 1974 and 1984 about Pynchon and Mailer make the top 10. Anyway, I just picked up King Rao. Might try reading all three at once. Can't be more disastrous than any of my other abandoned reading projects.
I wonder if Google (which owns TH-cam) is putting me higher in your results since you've seen my videos? Algorithms can be strange. Either way, how fun! I would love to hear your thoughts on the three books if you get to them.
I have to admit I was hoping that an obscure novel would win the Pulitzer just to see your deep dive reaction video as they are so enjoyable. I'm glad the tie brought out a deep dive video.
Thank you thank you for your honest statements on Trust. I was so BORED through most of it. Yes, it got better in section 3 and 4 …but hardly enough to justify reading this! I had EXACTLY the same idea as you about what would make this a better novel. The characters were wooden and the end was not worth the slog. I felt I must be stupid or crazy for not liking this book! Thank you for validating my opinion.
I cant but feel, this decision only some how dimishes the prize's importance in some way. I have both books but am more interested in reading Demon Copperhead. But as soon as the joint winners were announced, my first thought was, "What does Greg have to say about that decision?" Great video by the way Greg. Go well.
Thank you! I tend to think the tie doesn't do much to harm their credibility, but I do think the fact that a black woman hasn't won a Pulitzer for fiction since 1988 is pretty awful and sad.
I would love to hear your thoughts on the addition of memoir as a category. It seems like a lot of "memoir" gets written as fiction. I wonder if Pulitzer eligibility influences the authors.
The tie was a big surprise. I think your summation of Demon Copperhead's strengths is spot on. I would just love to know which book got Colson Whitehead's vote!
The Immortal King Rao has been on my radar. I bought after the Pulitzer announcement. It must have had enough support to keep either of the other two from getting >50%.
It does sound like a very interesting book. I feel bad giving it short shrift here because it definitely got enough votes to prevent a majority for either of the other books, but here we are.
@@SupposedlyFun I've read the other two and can see why they both won. My interest is more to see if I agree with the one that lost out. I haven't seen much about it on BT.
@@judybrown1624 Interestingly, I've heard more about it in the last five days than I did in the months leading up to this. So far all I've heard is very positive.
Great job! Is the board for fiction the same board for the journalism awards as well? Does the one board make all the final decisions that are announced on that one day?
Yes it's the same Board. I didn't get into it in the video because I didn't want to spend a lot of time explaining the ins and outs, but according to the rules on the Pulitzer website, the Board breaks into subcommittees for each award category. So the whole Board is not necessarily deciding each prize.
@@SupposedlyFun Thanks! With so many different categories it seems a bit overwhelming for one board to tackle with all announcements rolled out at the same time even with subcommittees. The drama award is especially perplexing since many stage runs are limited or regional, and delayed further by the time the recommendations would go to the board. Unless it’s limited to those that have been published or a published libretto for a musical and that could be considerably delayed based on the production since those don’t roll out immediately with the opening of a play.
@@bookofdust The drama category does seem particularly fraught with complications. It's a good idea for them to use subcommittees because it allows people to focus on their specialty, too. It's a fascinating process.
I adored Demon Copperhead, I was thrilled it won the Pulitzer. I hope it will win the Women’s Prize as well. I’ve said it before, Trust was too tedious of a read for me, although I get why people liked it and even why it won as well. I felt the same way, I almost dnf-ed it.
I am glad to have found many people who agree with me on Trust along with the people who loved it. I also hope Kingsolver wins the Women's Prize, although I don't think she will at this point. We'll see!
Personally will never understand the adoration DC has evoked in so many readers, much less the fact that it won the Pulitzer, which is often considered a serious prize--tho ig not always. Good first 50 pages but then it just becomes a cliche and predictable narrative that actually has very little to do with David Copperfield beyond the name and some small structural beats. It is Dickensian definitely (in a quite superficial and obvious way-personally) but I think something like The Goldfinch (talking abt Pulitzer winners) modernized Dickens in a way that I personally found a bit more engaging (tho the ending of that book is quite bad). I'm actually jealous of the people who love it because it feels like it really moved a lot of people and the author does seem to be quite respected in America. It just feels a bit like just another commercial Reese Witherspoon pick and it saddens me that the Pulitzer has fallen so bad
People think Demon’s story is unrealistic? Sorry but that’s priveleged thinking. There are probably more people suffering from series of bad events right now compared to people living a good life.
Trust was just okay, not great. I saw the “twist” coming too.. I want to read The Poisonwood Bible- I’ve heard nothing but great reviews of this book. Not sure I can handle Demon Copperhead, so I appreciate your review!
I haven't read The Poisonwood Bible since I read it for the first time about twenty years ago, but I love it. It's one of my favorites. I hope you like it, too!
I finished Trust last night. Very smart, clear prose, but either the structure of the book went over my head, or its puzzle shtick ended up being a little shallow. Good on both for winning, but Copperhead deserved the Pulitzer on its own. I loved every page of it.
Demon Copperhead’s win= is thissss how ppl who love football feel when “their” team wins the superbowl? I’ve been hype for dayssss. Blahdiggityblah appreciate another solid video 📖🪱💚
I love what Trust does to you as a reader and the issues it so artistically brings to light. I'm thankful that it won because i may not have noticed it otherwise and now it's a personal favorite.
I just finished Demon Copperhead and I’m happy seeing it win a Pulitzer Prize
I'm glad you liked it!
As always, I look forward to your thoughts, and, though I didn't make a comment at the time, when I heard the announcement, I did think of your prediction video and realized you got the best of both worlds!
I think what I love most of all is that there is still a large group of people who still get this excited about books and book prizes--- the fact that this first time tie sent a ripple through the book lover community is so great. It's very heartening.
It is definitely heartening! I've loved seeing people so excited by this announcement. I haven't seen a whole lot of negative. That's been wonderful.
In 1998, when both The Lion King and Ragtime were up for The Tony Award for Best Musical, I didn’t understand how one could compare these two exceptional, but very different, performances and declare one “better” than the other. That was how I felt about this year’s Pulitzer Prize contest between Demon Copperhead and Trust.
In my personal opinion, D.C., although beautifully written, is much more about the actual story being told - a faithful retelling of David Copperfield, while at the same time highlighting issues in present-day America. Trust, on the other hand, is much more about the storytelling and the underlying issues revealed through that storytelling technique -- not the actual story line. I greatly admire both of these authors and think they each did what they were doing brilliantly. In my book, they were equally deserving of the award and I support the award of two prizes. I completely respect opinions to the contrary. (P.S. The Lion King won.)
It can be very difficult to choose between two very different works. I don't envy the judges and/or the Board for having to do it!
This was exceedingly well done. Thank you for making the time to explain to us as best you could.
I’ve read both books and I preorder and read everything Barbara Kingsolver writes BUT I was with Trust. As a business owner and an economics nerd Trust was basically written for me. It speaks to our dangerous times directly and is being read by people who would never pick up a copy of The Financial Times or a book on modern monetary theory. Trust does as much heavy lifting as Demon just very differently. Personally, I did love the first half but I don’t think that’s the case for most folks. I did really love Demon too so I’m with you, this is incredible and the best of both worlds.
Thank you so much! I am glad that you got a lot out of Trust. They are definitely very different books to compare to each other.
This was a freaking tour de force. You are absolutely amazing. ❤
Oh you! Thank you! ❤️📚🥂🤗
Since I started watching your videos, I have become more aware of the “ Pulitzer Prize books. “ I was quite surprised to find that a couple of books I have loved over the years , and a many that are on my TBR list, have been Pulitzer Prize winners. I am very appreciative of your videos and recommendations. I have just purchased the Love Songs of W.E.du Bois at my local second hand book store and I see that they also have the Underground Railroad in stock, so I am well on my way.
I first discovered the Pulitzer because I saw it mentioned on the cover of a lot of books I was reading and enjoyed, so it's actually a similar journey! I'm glad to have helped bring it to your attention.
I grew up in the foster care system and can’t wait to set time aside to thoughtfully read Demon. Thanks for this video and your thoughts on the Pulitzer, very interesting.
Demon Copperhead is an absolute marvel! I only wish I could read it again for the first time! Great video BTW. New subscriber here!
Thank you! Always good to find another Demon Copperhead lover.
I love your thoughts about these books and I agree… my overall feeling after Demon Copperhead was also hope. Very powerful book.
Very powerful. I’m so glad you felt hope as well!
Haha I so liked the first half of Trust. I loved the third section but I loved the whole saga and intrigue. It was all so good 😂
Very opposite but I respect your experience of the book!
Totally agree with your take on Louise Erdrich's Night Watchman. If not for her other works I don't see how that book would have won.
I think Erdrich should definitely have a Pulitzer... it just should have been for either Love Medicine or Plague of Doves.
I think reading David Copperfield before was a bit of a distraction. I advise NOT reading it just before reading Demon Copperhead.
That's interesting! Thanks for the feedback.
I loved your reaction video so much! Me, I liked the premise of Trust but did not like the execution. I didn't think the writing was up to it. Demon Copperhead is a powerful book albeit so engaging. It shows that the social and economic issues of Victorian England as described by Dickens still exist today.
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed the reaction video. 📚🥂
Bro you're so informative on litfic book history and culture. Thanks for these videos, it's so insightful
Thank you so much!
Trust ‘Labouring through half of the book’! If you love reading Henry James and Edith Wharton then you will really enjoy the first story, Bonds. The second story is difficult to read but essential to the plot. I have read Demon Copperhead and Trust and enjoyed them both very much.
I actually love Edith Wharton, but still only got into Trust in the third section.
I was so excited 2 books won! Oddly enough, I'm way more interested in The Immortal King Rao. That seemed like a huge curveball and it sounds really interesting.
It does sound like an interesting book.
It's been on my maybe-someday TBR. This has piqued my interest in it again. Ironically, I think I may have not been as drawn to it before both because I didn't really hear anyone talking about it, and that blah cover (this is shallow, I know...)
@@erinh7450 I totally get that. When they award or nominate something that no one talks about or something completely obscure, I love that haha.
@@erinh7450 It definitely feels like I've heard from a lot of people who had Immortal KIng Rao on their list but kinda forgotten about it (or kept delaying it). Hopefully, it gets a lot more readers now!
I mean...a tie? That is unprecedented, no? It's pretty brain breaking...And wow on the research! Nice!
Thank you! It is definitely unprecedented.
Might just be Google stalking me, but I still find it interesting that if I search for Pulitzer Fiction 2023 reaction, you have three of the top five spots, and Ben Reads Good has one. If I drop reaction and add controversy, you have the top three spots, plus NYT articles from 1974 and 1984 about Pynchon and Mailer make the top 10. Anyway, I just picked up King Rao. Might try reading all three at once. Can't be more disastrous than any of my other abandoned reading projects.
I wonder if Google (which owns TH-cam) is putting me higher in your results since you've seen my videos? Algorithms can be strange. Either way, how fun! I would love to hear your thoughts on the three books if you get to them.
Thank you for such an thoughtful examination ❤
Thank you for watching.
I have to admit I was hoping that an obscure novel would win the Pulitzer just to see your deep dive reaction video as they are so enjoyable. I'm glad the tie brought out a deep dive video.
Thank you so much! It was actually fun doing a deep dive the same week as the announcement. We'll see if I'm so prepared next year! (I doubt it)
Thank you thank you for your honest statements on Trust. I was so BORED through most of it. Yes, it got better in section 3 and 4 …but hardly enough to justify reading this! I had EXACTLY the same idea as you about what would make this a better novel. The characters were wooden and the end was not worth the slog.
I felt I must be stupid or crazy for not liking this book! Thank you for validating my opinion.
I'm so glad I'm not alone! Thank you for validating my opinion as well! 🥂
I cant but feel, this decision only some how dimishes the prize's importance in some way. I have both books but am more interested in reading Demon Copperhead. But as soon as the joint winners were announced, my first thought was, "What does Greg have to say about that decision?" Great video by the way Greg. Go well.
Thank you! I tend to think the tie doesn't do much to harm their credibility, but I do think the fact that a black woman hasn't won a Pulitzer for fiction since 1988 is pretty awful and sad.
This was really interesting. Ill sub.
Thank you!
I would love to hear your thoughts on the addition of memoir as a category. It seems like a lot of "memoir" gets written as fiction. I wonder if Pulitzer eligibility influences the authors.
The tie is proof that the jury all subscribe to your channel 📺😁
I don't know that I could handle that kind of pressure. 😅
The tie was a big surprise. I think your summation of Demon Copperhead's strengths is spot on. I would just love to know which book got Colson Whitehead's vote!
ME TOO!!!
The Immortal King Rao has been on my radar. I bought after the Pulitzer announcement. It must have had enough support to keep either of the other two from getting >50%.
It does sound like a very interesting book. I feel bad giving it short shrift here because it definitely got enough votes to prevent a majority for either of the other books, but here we are.
@@SupposedlyFun I've read the other two and can see why they both won. My interest is more to see if I agree with the one that lost out. I haven't seen much about it on BT.
@@judybrown1624 Interestingly, I've heard more about it in the last five days than I did in the months leading up to this. So far all I've heard is very positive.
If anyone here hasn’t watched Greg hear the Pulitzer news in real time, stop watching this and watch that first, it’s awesome
🤗 📚 🥂
Great job! Is the board for fiction the same board for the journalism awards as well? Does the one board make all the final decisions that are announced on that one day?
Yes it's the same Board. I didn't get into it in the video because I didn't want to spend a lot of time explaining the ins and outs, but according to the rules on the Pulitzer website, the Board breaks into subcommittees for each award category. So the whole Board is not necessarily deciding each prize.
@@SupposedlyFun Thanks! With so many different categories it seems a bit overwhelming for one board to tackle with all announcements rolled out at the same time even with subcommittees. The drama award is especially perplexing since many stage runs are limited or regional, and delayed further by the time the recommendations would go to the board. Unless it’s limited to those that have been published or a published libretto for a musical and that could be considerably delayed based on the production since those don’t roll out immediately with the opening of a play.
@@bookofdust The drama category does seem particularly fraught with complications. It's a good idea for them to use subcommittees because it allows people to focus on their specialty, too. It's a fascinating process.
I adored Demon Copperhead, I was thrilled it won the Pulitzer. I hope it will win the Women’s Prize as well. I’ve said it before, Trust was too tedious of a read for me, although I get why people liked it and even why it won as well. I felt the same way, I almost dnf-ed it.
I am glad to have found many people who agree with me on Trust along with the people who loved it. I also hope Kingsolver wins the Women's Prize, although I don't think she will at this point. We'll see!
Personally will never understand the adoration DC has evoked in so many readers, much less the fact that it won the Pulitzer, which is often considered a serious prize--tho ig not always. Good first 50 pages but then it just becomes a cliche and predictable narrative that actually has very little to do with David Copperfield beyond the name and some small structural beats. It is Dickensian definitely (in a quite superficial and obvious way-personally) but I think something like The Goldfinch (talking abt Pulitzer winners) modernized Dickens in a way that I personally found a bit more engaging (tho the ending of that book is quite bad). I'm actually jealous of the people who love it because it feels like it really moved a lot of people and the author does seem to be quite respected in America. It just feels a bit like just another commercial Reese Witherspoon pick and it saddens me that the Pulitzer has fallen so bad
Well that's just a whole bunch of negativity there.
People think Demon’s story is unrealistic? Sorry but that’s priveleged thinking. There are probably more people suffering from series of bad events right now compared to people living a good life.
I tend to agree that it's privileged thinking.
Trust was just okay, not great. I saw the “twist” coming too.. I want to read The Poisonwood Bible- I’ve heard nothing but great reviews of this book. Not sure I can handle Demon Copperhead, so I appreciate your review!
I haven't read The Poisonwood Bible since I read it for the first time about twenty years ago, but I love it. It's one of my favorites. I hope you like it, too!
I finished Trust last night. Very smart, clear prose, but either the structure of the book went over my head, or its puzzle shtick ended up being a little shallow. Good on both for winning, but Copperhead deserved the Pulitzer on its own. I loved every page of it.
I agree!
I did not enjoy Trust. I do not feel Trust was well written.
Demon Copperhead’s win= is thissss how ppl who love football feel when “their” team wins the superbowl? I’ve been hype for dayssss. Blahdiggityblah appreciate another solid video 📖🪱💚
I used to be a hockey fan when I was a teenager and yes, I remember feeling the same way when my team won. Thank you!