The Free-Range Bookclub
Bookclubbers without boundaries in Nelson, New Zealand
2016 Bookerthon
In a year in which many established authors and their highly anticipated books (McEwan, Coetzee, Barnes, Tremain to name a few) didn’t make the shortlist, nor the longlist some of them, we were expecting big things from the 2016 Man Booker. We hadn’t even heard of some of the authors but thought we must be in for a treat for them to oust some of our favourite writers.
However, prior to coming together we had both stated we felt a little underwhelmed by the shortlisters we had read so far. Perhaps our expectations were too high? Perhaps our views were stymied about what a Man Booker shortlister should be?
To figure it all out, we met in St Arnaud, the perfect hideaway for completion of our reading, conversation and blogging.
As we read more what we saw emerge was a body of work that was certainly not what we expected, but one which was pushing boundaries on the traditional form of the novel. A short story collection that is really a novel, a novel purporting to be true crime, a significantly historical novel presented in a contemporary format, a heavily satirical novel which the author says is certainly not satire, a dense character study that is almost plotless – this is the generation of anything goes and it is reflected in these, the best books of the year.
The contrasting novels from several different genres are outstanding examples of what can happen with a free-range mind! Yet amongst the risk-taking was a consensus for clear story-telling and message provision. There are few limitations on who could read and enjoy these books.
Suzy sums it up, saying: “This is easily my favourite Bookerthon in years. 2016 has been a wonderfully plot-heavy collection of books that have all challenged and moved me in ways that has had me completely in awe of the authors’ talents. I have read books I wouldn’t normally be drawn to, but have absolutely loved. From 1860s Scottish highlands to 1980s China, not only have I been entertained but I also feel educated about aspects of society that I was otherwise ignorant about.”
So, with the advantage of hindsight, discussion and all the reading completed, here are our final thoughts.
Hot Milk was the most readable; All That Man Is provided a captivating take on the human psyche, in a unique novel/short story/novel kind of way.
The Sellout was demanding to read but that’s what made it complex and one-of-a-kind. If the author insists it’s not satire, has he created a whole new genre?
While at first it seemed the author of His Bloody Project was treating the reader like a fool, it turns out he was treating us with the utmost respect, and Eileen was a roller coaster ride of emotion and wonderment.
However, the shortlister that nudged ahead of the others for us both was the historically significant and meticulously researched Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien. It was a novel designed to shock and move the reader with characters who live beyond the page. That Chinese history, music composition, complex mathematics, literature, love, loss and friendship can be written about in a universal and contemporary way, so that nobody is excluded from enjoying it, is a feat. And therefore it becomes our pick for the 2016 Man Booker Prize.
Rachel’s favourites 1st-6th
Do Not Say We Have Nothing
Eileen
His Bloody Project
All That Man Is
Hot Milk
The Sellout
Suzy’s favourites 1st-6th
Do Not Say We Have Nothing
Eileen
His Bloody Project
All That Man Is
The Sellout
Hot Milk
His Bloody Project – Graeme Macrae Burnett
READ FOR BOOKERTHON
Roderick Macrae admits to a triple murder in a remote Scottish community in 1869. A memoir written by Macrae makes it clear he is guilty but it’s up to the police and courts to try and uncover his motive.
A memoir written by the accused makes it clear that he is guilty, but it falls to the country’s finest legal and psychiatric minds to uncover what drove him to commit such merciless acts of violence.
➤ “So, a crime story is shortlisted for the Man Booker. A crime story disguised as true crime no less.
“Burnet purports to have discovered a document penned by a distant forefather revealing all about why he brutally murdered three people in his crofting community back in 1869. The author says he did little more to the document than add punctuation and paragraphs. Hmmmm. At the outset this did mar the reading experience for me but who am I to discredit a writing style that, really, is akin to the reality TV genre of this generation.
“Despite my initial reservations it didn’t take too long to get lost in the plot, especially once the court transcripts are revealed which make the murderer’s musings more relevant. The idea of the varying degrees of madness is thought provoking and relevant in any historical context, and I did enjoy the opportunity to play detective rather than have everything spelled out. This is a book that has grown on me the more time passes and I certainly think this crime (literary crime?) novel deserves its place on the shortlist.” – Rachel
If one’s cup of water is foul, one must first ascertain if the well is poisoned. If we find that the well is indeed polluted, it may have some bearing on whether or not he is responsible for his deeds.
➤ “Putting aside the embarrassing ‘I have discovered this unpublished memoir by my old relative’ preamble, His Bloody Project is a great read and for me has been the most absorbing of the Man Booker shortlisters this year.
“I would agree with the description in reviews of His Bloody Project being a crime story, but struggle with it being called a thriller. There are unanswered questions that put the reader in the position of having to make their own judgements on the events surrounding the crime, but there is no real tension that puts the writing into ‘thriller’ territory. The novel has a gentle pace which seems fitting and appropriate to the location and era.
“The devastating events challenge the prejudices of the local Scottish community and, as well as being a damn good read, His Bloody Project provokes questions regarding the justice system that are as applicable today as they were in the Scottish Highlands in 1869.” – Suzy
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Published 2015
Contraband
280 pages
Do Not Say We Have Nothing – Madeleine Thien
READ FOR BOOKERTHON
From inside an extended Chinese family, Do Not Say We Have Nothing examines two of the most important political moments of China’s past century: Mao’s Cultural Revolution and the Tiananmen Square protests and massacre.
➤ “This is historical fiction written authentically and beautifully, and as twee as it sounds I feel privileged to have read this book.
“The impact of overarching political decision-making on individuals and families is set out so clearly and with such complete and utter devastation that I felt emotionally wrung out on the completion of this novel.
“Despite being so far removed from the culture and era in Do Not Say We Have Nothing there was something very relatable about the characters’ experiences. How the hell the author did this – well I have no idea, but it’s bloody commendable.
“I am fairly ignorant when it comes to Chinese history but feel slightly more knowledgeable after reading Do Not Say We Have Nothing. A truly lovely book – again not trying to be twee, but my life is richer for having read it.” – Suzy
She wanted to tell him that whatever happened, whatever they chose, one day they would have to come awake, everyone would have to stand up and confront themselves and realize that it wasn’t the Party that made them do it. One day, they would be alone with their actions.
➤ “Wow. That feels like the best place to start in formulating my thoughts on Do Not Say We Have Nothing. A book which captivated me from the first paragraph and held my attention to the very last page.
“Not only is this a book about China’s history, in particular the cultural revolution, it also covers off the topics of musical composition, literature, love, morality and the right to freedom. Thien has woven these all together in an epic story that is sure to move all its readers.
“I felt I learned a lot about China’s political history and met characters who will stay with me. While there is much sadness about the plot, one must remember these events were probably true for many people who survived – or did not survive – the political and societal turmoils of China past.
“All in all, this feels like a Man Booker shortlister. A piece of work that has taken time and research and transcends boundaries in its search of humanity and truth.” – Rachel
——
Published 2016
Knopf Canada
480 pages
All That Man Is – David Szalay
READ FOR BOOKERTHON
Nine men, each at a different stage of life, each of them away from home, try to understand what it means to be alive. A examination of the male experience from the spring of youth to the winter of old age.
➤ “I felt pretty wary coming into All That Man Is, a particularly male-focused read with nine separate stories about characters who seem loosely linked by a few commonalities and themes.
“In a nutshell you could say this was a book about the stereotypical interests of men….fast cars, super-yachts, private jets and of course sex – whether longingly imagined or intensely experienced.
“The author delves deeper though into the insecurities and fears that are faced by men of all ages (European and heterosexual ones anyway).
“It’s pretty horrible of me to say, but it was quite refreshing to see alpha-males fail so spectacularly when they are portrayed in most other media as being all-powerful and domineering. The women in these characters’ lives had their shit sorted in a way that the men could only wish for.
“Overall I enjoyed what felt like a unique and unfiltered look into the male psyche, in all its uncomfortable and messy glory.” – Suzy
Yesterday he experienced a sort of dark afternoon of the soul. Some hours of terrible negativity. A sense, essentially, that he had wasted his entire life, and now it was over. The sun was shining outside.
➤ “So, a short story collection is shortlisted for the Man Booker. A short story collection disguised as a novel no less. Apparently links exist between some of the characters, but they are difficult to pick.
“As a short story collection, All That Man Is is a fine example. The stories deliver what they promise, men analysing what this thing called life is all about, each in a different city, societal group and moment in time. Their dilemmas are real and eloquently portrayed and actually reveal insight into deeper reckonings some men may have. It certainly held my attention throughout all 400-odd pages. The book is very masculine though, with women given only secondary and sex-based roles in every story – don’t worry there was no mistreatment, rather the women were all self-assured characters.
“Abilities of the author acknowledged and put aside, I still come back to the fact that this is a book of nine short stories not a novel.” – Rachel
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Published 2016
Jonathan Cape
448 pages
Eileen – Ottessa Moshfegh
READ FOR BOOKERTHON
Eileen Dunlop is an unassuming yet disturbed young woman trapped between her role as her alcoholic father’s caretaker in a home of squalor and her day job as a secretary at a Boston boys’ prison. A character study of a lonely young woman in the 1960s and her harrowing story of obsession.
➤ “Eileen is unexceptional, unfulfilled and unhappy. She leads a boring and monotonous life, however is one of the most fascinating and interesting fictional characters I’ve come across in years. She was so pitiful I felt exhilarated by her triumphs, no matter how minor they were.
“The novel’s sense of impending doom had me desperately looking for clues along the way as the author slowly revealed key pieces of information. When a major knockout of a storyline was revealed I was shocked in the same way I felt with We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler (shortlisted in 2014).
“Eileen the character is unheroic and tragic. Eileen the novel is bloody great.”– Suzy
Furthermore, as is typical for any isolated, intelligent young person, I thought I was the only one with any consciousness, any awareness of how odd it was to be alive, to be a creature on this strange planet Earth.
➤ “Eileen is a fabulous character study of a down-trodden, mentally unstable woman suffering from multiple repressions. Eileen, our unreliable narrator, becomes obsessed by one person after another, manoeuvring her day to day rituals around running into or observing her latest victim, all the while exhibiting strange and creepy personal behaviours and thoughts. So far, so good. In fact, excellent. This is my kind of book.
“However, we get to 43 pages before the end of the book and NOTHING HAS HAPPENED. The crux of the story is noted on the back cover blurb (ggrr pet hate) yet has still not occurred. Until then it’s purely back story and a character study, albeit superbly done. My mistake of reading the blurb ensured I was constantly searching for a plot that didn’t exist.
“But if I remove my pre-conceived expectations and look at the book for what it is, it is excellent. Thrilling, tragic, beautifully written and with the ultimate creepy antagonist. I’ve thought about Eileen a lot since finishing so it’s certainly got under my skin. Read it, just don’t read the back cover!” – Rachel
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Published 2015
Penguin Press
272 pages
Hot Milk – Deborah Levy
READ FOR BOOKERTHON
Sofia, a young anthropologist, spends much of her life trying to solve the mystery of her mother’s unexplainable illness. A trip to Southern Spain to see a specialist allows her to consider her own desires and plans for the future.
➤ “Hot Milk has that kind of pleasantness about it that makes it neither beautiful enough to be outstanding, nor horrible enough to be outstanding. Interesting plot, nicely written, easy to read. Pleasant.
“What was interesting was the study of a woman’s propensity for servitude. A woman so heavily controlled and influenced by her mother to the point of repression and internal rage. Sofia’s responses were predictable and totally human.
“But again I return to that word pleasant. That may be good enough for mass sales but I don’t know if it hits the mark when it comes to the Man Booker.” – Rachel
I have researched aboriginal culture, Mayan hieroglyphics and the corporate culture of a Japanese car manufacturer, and I have written essays on the internal logic of various other societies, but I haven’t a clue about my own logic.
➤ “I have never really had a good experience with the ‘young confused woman trying to find herself’ genre, but Hot Milk was a pleasant surprise. I finished it feeling a bit neutral but the more I have reflected on it, the more I appreciate it.
“There are some crazy threads running through the book, some of which will honestly haunt me forever, but the absurdity of the storyline is somehow relatable and overall there was a lovely rhythm and pace to the writing.” – Suzy
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Published 2016
Penguin Random House
214 pages
The Sellout – Paul Beatty
READ FOR BOOKERTHON
In a bid to reinstate his hometown on the map, the narrator in this American satire initiates the most outrageous action conceivable: reinstating slavery and segregating the local high school which lands him in the Supreme Court.
➤ “I honestly started this book with an open mind. It’s “One of the 10 Best The New York Times Book Review Books of the Year” for crying out loud, I was sure I was literary enough to love the hell out of it.
“Undoubtedly there were some genuinely funny moments, but I was so shocked by so much of the “satire” it was hard to fully appreciate these.
“What’s next, a book about the hysterically funny aspects of rape? A satirical take on the gut-wrenching events at Parihaka? By the end of the book I appreciated what I believe the author was attempting to convey, but I think his was ultimately a lazy approach as all he really did was rake through modern-day America’s most disturbing and worrying events and take the piss out of them.” – Suzy
I’m so fucking tired of black women always being described by their skin tones! Honey-colored this! Dark-chocolate that! My paternal grandmother was mocha-tinged, café-au-lait, graham-fucking-cracker brown! How come they never describe the white characters in relation to foodstuffs and hot liquids? Why aren’t there any yogurt-colored, egg-shell-toned, string-cheese-skinned, low-fat-milk white protagonists in these racist, no-third-act-having books?
➤ “When I saw the words American satire on the back cover my heart dropped a little. My brain is wired more towards British satire than the American version. And yes I did end up struggling with the “humour”, despite the author’s message being clear.
“The Sellout is full of satirical digs at society, demonstrating how, in the US at least, racist attitudes are alive and well. I did nod and ahem and even chuckle occasionally. The local paper has black pages with white text; the narrator is referred to only as ‘me’; an unemployed man advertises himself as ‘pre-owned negro slave, only beaten on Thursdays’. Yes, message after message after message, often with frank and cutting language and insults that were difficult to digest. This was an intense book. Obviously Beatty felt it needed to be this jarring to accurately portray the climate of fear he was after. I understand why he felt the need to write such a book but it wasn’t a favourite for me.” – Rachel
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Published 2016
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
304 pages
The Story Of A New Zealand River – Jane Mander
READ FOR BOOKCLUB
Chosen by Rachel
Englishwoman Alice Roland and her children join her colonial husband to live in isolation in Pukekaroro, a settlement on a New Zealand river abutting a native kauri forest.
The biggest cause of her uneasiness was that she had begun to question the verities. If you live beside a river sooner or later you have to. You can’t help sitting beside it, and listening to it, and watching the water go by. And then you wonder idly where all the water comes from and where it goes, and when it began to run and why, and if it will ever end and why. And your thoughts run with it and change with it. And you go out at night to look at the stars reflected in the dark depths of it, and then you look up at the stars themselves, and you ask when and why again.
➤ “In creating The Story Of A NZ River, Jane Mander has plucked a well to-do British family out of old-England and deposited them into the middle of a dense New Zealand karui forest! The cast of characters in this micro community cover the gambit of personalties and societal class and manage to address many political, moral and social issues of the time. I say address but I mean break the rules of! Mander’s characters have a freedom that the 1920s did not afford society, especially women. Yet, amongst the long hard days of saw milling, Mander demonstrates that passion, forbidden love and loyalties have no geographical boundaries, and she creates a nice juxtaposition of the pious English romance against the trials of a colonial settlement, reminding us that opposites attract. It was disappointing no Māori faces graced the pages of this New Zealand book, but this was probably a fact true to point in the lives of many settlers. The author’s own experiences have helped provide an education on colonial life, and the characters are captivating, especially the daughter Asia – once I turned that last page, I found myself longing for a sequel!” – Rachel
➤ “A very well written, literary Mills & Boon is how I would describe The Story of a New Zealand River. Needless to say I was hooked within a few pages! I loved the way author Jane Mander described the tensions and passions between characters, as well as the romance of the rugged yet beautiful New Zealand landscape and the early settlers as they fought to make a living. There were a few notable exceptions from the script of a classic romance: Asia, the daughter of the female lead Alice, was the true heroine. And an undercurrent of feminist, social and political commentary kept it from being a lightweight read. It was easy to see how the book became controversial within New Zealand, at the time it was written. And I loved every minute of it.” – Sonya
➤ “Jane Mander is an absolute master in describing social interactions and the setting in an incredibly precise way. I felt as if I was there – I could picture the bush, the house, the river and I felt the awkward tension between many of the characters (who were all so well developed). It was slightly irritating how perfect and a bit condescending David Bruce was towards Alice but perhaps accurate for the time with regards to male-female relationships. I really enjoyed this book – a beautifully written story.” – Jo
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Published 1920
John Lane (New York)
318 pages
The Godwits Fly – Robin Hyde
READ FOR BOOKCLUB
Chosen by Jo
The Godwits Fly vividly evokes the complexities of family life and the intensely felt world of Eliza, a single-minded young woman in 1920s Wellington. Eliza has affairs and a breakdown and turns to writing for meaning. Like the Godwits, which migrate from Siberia to New Zealand every year, she wishes to escape and see the world. Strongly autobiographical, The Godwits Fly was published in 1938 and has become a New Zealand classic.
We take things too hard and we’re too ignorant. It’s ignorant to love so much and in this wasted way. And we fight, instead of trying to save one another.
➤ “I found this book very difficult to concentrate on and wondered if it would have been better suited to a very slow absorption rather than my relatively rushed read. The writing is very poetical and required analysis – something for which I am not able to give at this time. Depressing but interesting themes abound and once I found out more about Robin Hyde I came to appreciate the novel more as I discovered it is largely autobiographical. That for me was where the true interest lies. Not a favourite I’m afraid as I much prefer a straight forward easy to read book, at least for now anyway!” – Jo.
➤ “I am not going to tip toe around it. I really struggled with The Godwits Fly. This could be quite simply because it is not a book you read at night before going to sleep, when you’re busy or tired. Or it could be because my reading “fitness” is a bit deficit. Either way, the detailed, often poetic prose was tiresome. I struggled to get into the characters, and found myself reading whole chapters without really knowing what was going on, except for a strange melancholy. A sadness. Understanding the author and her personal circumstances helped to place this. And in another lifetime, I would like to go back to it and read it with the attention and deliberation it probably deserves.” – Sonya
➤ “This is the kind of book I love: Kiwi lit, a highly personal story that doesn’t tip toe around societal issues and emotions, and written as if poetry, so that every sentence is rich and beautiful. So why didn’t I connect with it? I certainly did in parts, but in others I managed to miss the relevance of pages of prose. I can only put it down to time, or lack thereof and therefore an inability to truly appreciate every word. And I think this is what this book requires because when I did connect with it, I was engrossed, emotional engaged and relished the mellifluous writing style.
“Despite the time that has passed since its publication I felt the themes and ideas were still relevant for NZ women, for NZ children, and for all Kiwis, especially that of the impulsive need to respond to the call of the motherland. I respect this book for what it means to New Zealand literature but don’t feel that I have completely appreciated it yet. Sophia sold me on the concept of this book many years ago and I have been waiting for so long to find time to read it, so am disappointed in myself for not giving it the time it deserves. I plan to re-read it in the near future and hope that I fall in love with it like so many others have.” – Rachel
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Published 1938
260 pages
Infinite Air – Fiona Kidman
READ FOR BOOKCLUB
Chosen by Sonya
A novel about the enigmatic Jean Batten – New Zealand’s, and one of the world’s, greatest aviators
➤ “I was quite excited by the idea of The Infinite Air. I have heard a lot about author Fiona Kidman, and love a good biographical yarn, especially about brave and enigmatic women. Jean Batten certainly was a woman of extraordinary talent and courage. She was blessed with good looks and brilliance of mind, which coupled with tireless support of her mother and blind ambition, saw her become aviation history. Kidman’s account of her life was indeed fascinating. However, I felt oddly disappointed by the book. Perhaps I was thrown by the genre of biographical fiction? I struggled to feel connected to Jean Batten in the way one might with a fictional heroine, and at the same time I couldn’t quite believe her as a real person. I wanted to be inspired and uplifted by her, but found myself feeling sad for the cost and consequence of the choices she made to achieve what she did.” – Sonya
➤ “I really felt like I was getting an education on Jean Batten while reading this book which is very satisfying! I think Fiona Kidman gave an empathetic portrayal of someone who perhaps would have created some derision at the time, for example with her perceived using of men for money (it seems to me though that she paid a price for the money she acquired!). There were interesting mentions of famous people peppered throughout the story which I found intriguing. It seems that Jean Batten had a bit of a tragic life with regards to relationships and family however she stood out to me as an incredibly admirable woman for her huge amount of ambition and determination and of course amazing success. This success was amplified when you consider the age, oppression and usual dependence of women on men at the time. A fantastic life made into an easy to read, well written story.” – Jo
➤ “Shamefully, I did not know much about Jean Batten so I relished the opportunity to read this biographical fiction book about her life. It is a truthful story about the passion of the woman who was determined to break aviation records all over the world. I was astonished at her resolve and how easily she (seemed to) achieve things that most of us would never consider possible. Kidman has done a superb job of capturing this spirit and determination and ensuring Batten comes out of it as a person, not a character. I loved this book from start to finish and am so pleased Batten’s life has been documented for future generations.” – Rachel
—–
Published 2013
Random House
352 pages
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