2012 Bookerthon

Most people expect the finalists on an awards list to be varied, to encompass a wide spectrum of styles, opinions, and to represent many backgrounds. However often such lists have a common thread or theme running through them, especially in response to world events of the previous years.

It’s not often we think a Man Booker shortlist is truely diverse. But this year we do. Reading the six shortlisters was like and being tossed about in a washing machine for five weeks – the shortlisted books are so contrasting, in style, genre, narrative and even pace, that it took a bit of mental energy to jump from one to the other.

The Lighthouse is deep and mysterious, the style delicious and the events surrounding a man’s memories of childhood abandonment are unfolded with perfect timing; Narcopolis is set in a Bombay Opium den and is atmospheric and meditative, and felt like it provided an experience; Swimming Home is a nicely paced book about a stranger who appears naked swimming in a hotel pool. It is a personality heavy book with characters who are troubled albeit likeable; The Garden of Evening Mists is about an ex POW turned apprentice gardener. It’s interesting, historical story is a real scene setter; Umbrella is a stream-of-consciousness novel based on the true story of a patient being awakened after 53 years with a new drug; Bring Up The Bodies is the sequel to Wolf Hall, the continued story about Thomas Cromwell, advisor to Henry VIII.

Without insight on the judges criteria it’s hard to know what will appeal to them most this year. As far as we are concerned, we’d be happy if any of The Lighthouse, Narcopolis, Swimming Home or The Garden of Evening Mists won. They are well constructed and likely appealing to many people.

As for the other two, both of us agreed that Umbrella was too erudite for us to be able to name it the best of the six, and Bring Up The Bodies, well like it’s predecessor it is so indepthly about a historical time that is neither relevant to us nor part of our history so its hard to find a connection nor joy in the retelling of these events.

Best book 1st-6th: Rachel:
The Lighthouse
Swimming Home
The Garden of Evening Mists
Narcopolis
Umbrella
Bring Up The Bodies

Best book 1st-6th: Suzy:
The Garden of Evening Mists
The Lighthouse
Narcopolis
Swimming Home
Umbrella
Bring Up The Bodies