Bookerthon – 2023

The announcement of the Booker longlist in 2023 elicited a wide spectrum of reactions in the literary world. There were many unheard of titles amongst the finalists, and those expected to make the list did not. The absence of Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead was the biggest surprise. After winning both the Women’s Prize and the Pultizer Prize, some thought it would take home the trifecta.

But also absent were Salman Rushdie’s Victory City, Eleanor Catton’s Birnham Wood, Deborah Levy’s August Blue, Zadie Smith’s The Fraud … the list goes on. Many book reviewers scored poorly with their prediction lists and some didn’t even try to predict the shortlist, which set off another round of surprised reactions, especially when there were more white men named Paul than women on the list.

It was with trepidation and intrigue that we took on the shortlist this year. What we anticipated was a collection of books with a fresh outlook. Perhaps those expected titles missed out because they were too expected. Maybe these novels were hidden gems breaking the mould of storytelling and taking literature in a new direction.

In Wellington, overlooking the beautiful and blustery Lyall Bay, we found six stories that examined identity and in particular how to create space and to simply be your own person in today’s complex world. And while the characters try to figure this out, the authors throw weighty issues at them: tyrannical governments, extremism, climate change, immigration, racism and xenophobia, poverty, grief and personal shame. There is a lot of no holds barred honesty, amongst which we were able to place ourselves to examine the issues from the inside out.

Stylistically, form is pushed in new directions, too. Linked short stories, a lack of punctuation, use of second person narrative and choosing an absence of words to portray plot are all novel ways to introduce new forms of storytelling – so, yes, a fresh outlook. Hurrah. So, what did we think?

Rachel:
In analysing the shortlist, I couldn’t help but use Demon Copperhead as a yardstick. Yes I thought it would be longlisted, shortlisted and possibly win, so for any of the actual shortlist to justify their inclusion, in my eyes it had to be better than Demon Copperhead. While I liked some of the list and did appreciate their collective world viewpoint, I can’t say they are individually the best six books I’ve read this year. If Demon Copperhead was the seventh book on the shortlist, I would have given it second position. The House of Doors I would have placed third.

My last place is going to This Other Eden. The aspect I thought it had most going for it, its historical merit, turns out to be tenuous and I feel a bit duped in the marketing of the book as historically accurate, when the author himself says it is “90% imagined”. When I didn’t particularly rate the writing style either, I’m left wondering how this book made it this far.

The other book I have evolved feelings about is The Bee Sting. The more time passes, the more I think about it and realise what a phenomenal job the author did in keeping so many plot balls in the air while simultaneously developing the characters and creating a sense of now so thoroughly, then bringing everything together in a mind-bending conclusion.

Western Lane and If I Survive You were both good solid reads that I enjoyed and which offered me content I have not experienced before. I maintain my opinion on Sarah Bernstein’s Study For Obedience, though I know I’m out on a limb there. I wouldn’t be surprised if it won because it is so different and form-breaking.

The book I loved right from the start and never stopped loving, and which I do think is better than Demon Copperhead, is Prophet Song. Paul Lynch had me right there alongside Eilish every step of the way. I felt agony over her decision making, as if it was me that had to decide to stay or leave behind a certain family member. Some scenes just broke me. It feels like there is no more relevant fictional book right now and I really hope it wins.

Suzy:
I had not heard anything particularly positive about the shortlist when it was announced so honestly my expectations weren’t high. I was pleasantly surprised by six books that were all highly readable (not a given with Booker shortlisters!) and also very moving in different ways.

I have appreciated the shortlisters even more since our research on them, with the exception of This Other Eden. This novel is promoted as being based on a true story, but then the author twists historical facts in the worst possible way.

I feel like I have been privileged to get an insight into different times, cultures and countries while reading these exceptional books. However, it has been Prophet Song that’s propelled me into a horrific imagining of how lives can move from ‘normal’ to completely upended so quickly. While the other four novels are all truly fantastic and worthy, I am backing Paul Lynch for the win.

Rachel’s favourites (ranked 1-6)
Prophet Song
The Bee Sting
Western Lane
If I Survive You
Study For Obedience
This Other Eden

Suzy’s favourites (ranked 1-6)
Prophet Song
The Bee Sting
Study For Obedience
Western Lane
If I Survive You
This Other Eden