Tag: Booker Prize

2013 Bookerthon

Novels of note are often a response to societal influences. Either what happens in the world and how humanity responds to it, or bringing light to events of years past to reveal hidden truths. Readers respond to societal and cultural references they recognise, and… Continue Reading “2013 Bookerthon”

The Luminaries – Eleanor Catton

READ FOR BOOKERTHON ❖ “The Luminaries is a ghost story and murder mystery set in  Hokitika, New Zealand. It is 832 pages and won the Booker Prize. “Its protagonist Walter Moody comes across 12 men having a secret meeting in the lounge of his hotel… Continue Reading “The Luminaries – Eleanor Catton”

The Testament of Mary – Colm Toibin

READ FOR BOOKERTHON Mary, mother of Jesus, is in her old age and does not believe her son was the son of God ❖ “The Testament of Mary is the story of Mary, mother of Jesus. She is elderly and being visited by ‘the… Continue Reading “The Testament of Mary – Colm Toibin”

A Tale For The Time Being – Ruth Ozeki

READ FOR BOOKERTHON A Canadian novelist finds a diary of a 16-year-old girl from Tokyo washed up on shore after the 2011 Japanese tsunami ❖ “A Tale For the Time Being is a multi-era, multi-genre, multi-themed, multi-culture, multi-plot book. In it you will find… Continue Reading “A Tale For The Time Being – Ruth Ozeki”

The Lowland – Jhumpa Lahiri

READ FOR BOOKERTHON The story of two brothers living in 1960s Calcutta. One becomes an oceanographer, the other a political activist  ❖  The Lowland features two Bengali brothers Subhash and Udayan who follow different paths as they grow up in Calcutta during the 50s… Continue Reading “The Lowland – Jhumpa Lahiri”

We Need New Names – NoViolet Bulawayo

READ FOR BOOKERTHON This is a coming-of-age story about Darling, a ten year old living in Zimbabwe. She is orphaned after her mother leaves to work at the border and her father abandons the family for a life in South Africa, and later contracts… Continue Reading “We Need New Names – NoViolet Bulawayo”

Harvest – Jim Crace

READ FOR BOOKERTHON In a remote English village economic progress disrupts the pastoral idyll  ❖ Set in a rural village Harvest‘s pages open with the community harvesting their crops. They are joyous and spirited, sustained by their hard work for another season. However at the feast that… Continue Reading “Harvest – Jim Crace”

The Little Stranger – Sarah Waters

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Jo The Little Stranger is a mixed genre story set in a dilapidated mansion in Warwickshire, England in the 1940s. It features a country doctor who calls on an old family of declining fortunes who own the old estate that… Continue Reading “The Little Stranger – Sarah Waters”

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… Continue Reading “2012 Bookerthon”

Bring Up The Bodies – Hilary Mantel

READ FOR BOOKERTHON The sequel to Wolf Hall, charting the rise and fall of Thomas Cromwell, a minister in the court of King Henry VIII. © “Bring Up The Bodies is the sequel to Wolf Hall, about the life of Thomas Cromwell who was influential… Continue Reading “Bring Up The Bodies – Hilary Mantel”