Back Booker 2005

 By the time the year is over we will have completed three Bookerthons! Can you tell this is our new favourite  pastime?!

We chose 2005 this time as we’ve recently read two of the shortlisters, plus  we’ve heard great things about the other four.

Our thoughts?

As with the last Back Booker, we were swayed by the pre-existing attachment to one of the contenders ie Never Let Me Go for its dystopian/science fiction/very human story all tied up into one. Again, we were disappointed it wasn’t the clear favourite back in 2005.

A Long, Long Way is quite emotionally captivating and could easily have won. Arthur & George is a fascinating look into the time Sir Arthur Conan Doyle sought to solve a real mystery, and On Beauty is a contemporary nod to Howards End. We had mixed thoughts on The Accidental, having been entertained but not quite keeping up with Ali Smith’s genius. The Sea, while clever and with charming characters, we found it a bit contrived and neither of us would have guessed it would win had we Bookerthoned that year!

Best book 1-6: Rachel:

Never Let Me Go
A Long Long Way
On Beauty
Arthur & George
The Accidental
The Sea

Best book 1-6: Suzy:

Never Let Me Go
The Accidental
Arthur & George
On Beauty
A Long Long Way
The Sea