The Book Club Review The Booker Prize 2024 • Episode #166
Nov 9, 2024
Martin Voek, a Booker Prize expert and blogger, joins Sarah Oliver, a regular book enthusiast, to dissect the 2024 Booker Prize shortlist. They share candid opinions on each nominated work, examining themes like nature, obsession, and trauma. The discussion highlights standout books and critiques disappointments, all while making predictions on potential winners. Listeners are treated to personal insights and lively debates, revealing the depth and diversity of this year's literary offerings.
01:22:57
A Diverse, Debate-Ready Shortlist
- The 2024 Booker shortlist is internationally diverse and includes novels that fuel deep book-club debates.
- The list spans space meditation, domestic obsession, historical reimaginings, and quiet midlife reflections.
Prize Reader's Guilty Pleasure
- Martin reads widely and even indulges in light 'trash' reads like music biographies to stay balanced.
- He follows prizes obsessively, using lighter books strategically between denser reads.
Practical Tips To Read More
- Judges recommend disciplined reading: schedule time and create a phone-free reading corner.
- Carry a book everywhere and find a book buddy to make reading habitual.
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Intro
00:00 • 3min
Exploring the 2024 Booker Prize Shortlist
02:41 • 16min
Exploring Subtlety and Obsession in Booker Prize Shortlisted Works
19:01 • 3min
Reflections Through Shards
21:48 • 8min
Undercover Reflections
30:12 • 14min
Exploring 'Stone Yard Devotional'
44:34 • 9min
Fragmented Memories and Haunting Connections in Post-War Life
53:48 • 4min
The Poetic Paradox of Narrative
58:02 • 4min
Exploring Identity and Grief Through Literature
01:02:26 • 2min
Reimagining Huck: A New Lens on Slavery
01:04:20 • 12min
Booker Prize Predictions and Discussions
01:15:56 • 5min
Reflections on the Booker Prize and Upcoming Literary Specials
01:20:51 • 2min
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A Lady's Guide to Scandal
Sophie Irwin
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One Perfect Couple
Ruth Ware
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Held
Anne Michaels
#1411
• Mentioned in 18 episodes
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Mark Twain
Published in 1884 in the UK and 1885 in the US, 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' is a sequel to Mark Twain's 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'.
The novel follows Huck Finn, a young boy who escapes his abusive father by faking his own death, and Jim, a runaway slave.
Together, they embark on a perilous journey down the Mississippi River on a raft.
Along the way, they encounter various characters, including con artists and feuding families, and Huck grapples with moral dilemmas, particularly regarding his support for Jim despite the societal norms against helping a runaway slave.
The novel is a critique of pre-Civil War American society, especially its treatment of slavery and racial issues, and it has been praised for its realistic portrayal of boyhood and its exploration of complex moral themes.
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The Discomfort of Evening
null
Marieke Lucas Rijneveld
#3697
• Mentioned in 8 episodes
Prophet Song
Paul Lynch
Prophet Song is a dystopian novel that depicts a terrifying and suspenseful vision of Ireland careening towards authoritarianism.
The story follows Eilish Stack, a scientist and mother of four, whose life is disrupted when her husband, a trade unionist, is taken by the newly formed secret police.
As Ireland descends into civil war and tyranny, Eilish must navigate the bureaucratic intricacies of the descending chaos to save her family.
The novel is a deeply human portrait of a mother’s struggle and serves as a warning about the potential for political and social breakdown in modern society.
#10438
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
The Trees
Percival Everett
Javier Calvo
Jordi Martín Lloret
#63416
O My Friends
None
Mirabai
Mirabai's "O My Friends" is a passionate devotional poem expressing the intense longing and surrender of the soul to the divine.
It uses vivid imagery of nature—deer, partridge, fish—to illustrate the complete devotion required on the spiritual path.
The poem's central theme is the annihilation of the ego and the merging of the individual self with the divine.
Mirabai's powerful imagery and emotional intensity convey the ecstatic experience of union with God. The poem's enduring appeal lies in its ability to articulate the universal human desire for connection with the transcendent.
#1163
• Mentioned in 21 episodes
Demon Copperhead
Barbara Kingsolver
Demon Copperhead is a powerful and emotionally engaging novel that tells the story of Damon Fields, a boy born to a teenage single mother in a trailer home in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
The novel, inspired by Charles Dickens' 'David Copperfield', follows Demon's journey through the challenges of foster care, child labor, derelict schools, athletic success, addiction, and disastrous loves.
Kingsolver vividly portrays the opioid epidemic's impact on rural communities and explores themes of love, survival, and the transformative power of storytelling.
The narrative is delivered through Demon's unsparing and authentic voice, which brings to life the harsh realities and the resilience of the people in Appalachia.
#11780
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Carmageddon
Daniel Knowles
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The Confessions of Frannie Langton
Sara Collins
Sara Collins' debut novel, "The Confessions of Franny Langton," is a gripping historical fiction set in 19th-century London.
The story follows Franny Langton, a young Black woman accused of murder, as she navigates the complexities of race, class, and justice within a prejudiced society.
Through Franny's compelling narrative, Collins explores themes of identity, survival, and the enduring power of love amidst adversity.
The novel's intricate plot and richly drawn characters have earned it critical acclaim and numerous awards.
Its exploration of historical injustices and the resilience of the human spirit continues to resonate with readers.
#43946
The Hare with Amber Eyes
A Family's Century of Art and Loss
Edmund de Waal
In 'The Hare with Amber Eyes', Edmund de Waal recounts the story of his inheritance of a collection of Japanese netsukes and uses them to explore his family's history.
The book follows the journey of these small Japanese carvings from their purchase by Charles Ephrussi in 19th-century Paris to their survival during World War II in Vienna and their eventual return to the family in postwar Tokyo.
De Waal reflects on the power and meaning of sight, touch, loss, and memory, providing a vivid and intimate account of a Jewish family's experiences through a tumultuous century.
#5977
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
Erasure
Percival Everett
In 'Erasure', Thelonious 'Monk' Ellison, a professor of English literature and novelist, struggles with the publishing industry's expectations of what constitutes 'black enough' literature.
Frustrated, Monk writes a parody of ghetto novels, titled 'My Pafology' or 'Fuck', which unexpectedly gains widespread acclaim and financial success under the pseudonym Stagg R. Leigh.
The novel explores themes of identity, alienation, and the commodification of black experiences, while also delving into Monk's personal life, including his family's struggles and his own identity crisis.
#3064
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
Piranesi
Susanna Clarke
In *Piranesi*, the protagonist lives in a world called the House, a labyrinthine structure filled with thousands of statues, tides that surge through staircases, and clouds in the upper halls.
Through his meticulous journals, Piranesi reconstructs the story of his arrival and explores the House, only to discover messages indicating the presence of another person.
As he delves deeper, he uncovers secrets and confronts the possibility of a world beyond his known reality.
#21582
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Stoneyard Devotional
Charlotte Wood
No description available.
#5437
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
We Solve Murders
Richard Osman
Richard Osman's "We Solved Murders" is a captivating mystery novel featuring a group of amateur sleuths.
The story unfolds in a charming setting, with a cast of quirky and endearing characters.
The plot is cleverly woven, keeping readers engaged with unexpected twists and turns.
The novel's humor and heartwarming moments add to its appeal, making it a delightful read for mystery enthusiasts.
The book's success has led to a series of sequels, further exploring the lives and adventures of the endearing characters.
#2259
• Mentioned in 12 episodes
Orbital
Samantha Harvey
#105
• Mentioned in 111 episodes
James
Percival Everett
Percival Everett's "James" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that reimagines the classic tale of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim. Everett's writing is both sharp and witty, blending humor and pathos to create a compelling narrative.
The novel explores themes of race, freedom, and identity in a way that is both timely and timeless.
Everett's unique voice and perspective offer a fresh take on a familiar story, challenging readers to reconsider their assumptions about race and American history.
The novel's unexpected twists and turns keep readers engaged until the very end, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.
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Fugitive pieces
Anne Michaels
The novel tells the story of Jakob Beer, a Jewish boy who survives the Holocaust after being rescued by a Greek geologist named Athos Roussos.
The narrative spans Jakob’s transformation from a traumatized child to a devoted poet, exploring themes of memory, loss, and redemption.
The story shifts in the latter part to Ben, a Canadian professor and son of Holocaust survivors, who grapples with inherited trauma and discovers Jakob's journals.
The book is known for its poetic style and its exploration of the long-term effects of trauma on individuals and society.
#14412
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The Safe Keep
Yael van der Wouden
#5256
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
Creation Lake
Rachel Kushner
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Gideon the Ninth
Tamsyn Muir
#28891
The Mars Room
Rachel Kushner
#19215
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The flamethrowers
Rachel Kushner
Amelia Pérez de Villar Herranz
Curious about the 2024 Booker Prize? Wondering if the shortlisted novels live up to the hype? In this latest episode Kate and Laura are joined by returning guests Phil, Sarah and Martin to dive deep into this year's shortlist bringing you their usual frank, honest opinions in true book-club style.
This isn’t your typical review show — you get real, unfiltered thoughts from book lovers who tell it like it is. From literary brilliance to unexpected twists, find out which books wowed us, which ones left us wanting more, and whether this year’s Booker picks truly deserve the spotlight. Plus of course our guesses as to which one might win.
Notes
Check out Martin's brilliant blog Eyes on the Prize for a fantastic look back through Booker Winners past, including his 'worst to best' ranking.
Other books mentioned
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware
We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
The Trees by Percival Everett
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
My Friends by Hisham Matar
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