The Book Club Review The 2025 Booker Prize: From Shortlist to Spotlight
Nov 13, 2025
Phil Chaffee, a seasoned journalist known for his critical insights on the Booker selections, joins Martin Vovk, a music-industry data specialist and devoted Booker Prize historian. They dive into this year's Booker Prize shortlist, discussing novels like David Szalay's 'Flesh,' which explores themes of masculinity and trauma, and Kiran Desai's 'The Loneliness of Sonia and Sonny,' notable for its magical realism. The conversation also sparks lively predictions about which book might take home the coveted prize.
01:29:25
Booker Prize As A Modern Cultural Event
- The Booker Prize has evolved from a backroom literary event into a glitzy, social-media-aware cultural spectacle.
- That wider visibility can help books reach more readers without necessarily lowering quality, if managed carefully.
Flesh: A Physical, Spare Life Portrait
- Kate describes Flesh as grounded in physicality, tracing Istvan from adolescence through war and guarding London's super-rich.
- An audiobook clip highlights spare prose and intimate, often uncomfortable moments that shape the protagonist.
Short Story Power Vs. Novel Expansion
- Phil felt Flesh expanded material from Szalay's earlier interlinked stories but lost some intellectual depth in the novel form.
- The comparison suggests a trade-off between concentrated short-form power and diluted long-form extension.
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Intro
00:00 • 6min
Discussion: Flesh — concise prose and masculine passivity
06:25 • 12min
Discussion: The Rest of Our Lives — midlife road trip and American context
18:06 • 10min
Discussion: The Loneliness of Sonia and Sonny — sprawling India–America fable
28:30 • 13min
Ad break
41:22 • 4min
Discussion: The Land in Winter — atmosphere and repressed darkness
45:01 • 9min
Discussion: Audition — structural puzzle and rereading reward
54:27 • 5min
Live ceremony interlude — watching the Booker announcement
59:01 • 9min
Discussion: Flashlight — family mystery across Asia and America
01:08:06 • 9min
Predictions: who will win and why
01:17:20 • 30sec
Announcement reaction: Flesh wins the 2025 Booker Prize
01:17:50 • 5min
Post-win reflections: risk, craft, and Booker trends
01:23:01 • 5min
Final picks: which shortlist book to recommend
01:27:34 • 38sec
Outro
01:28:11 • 1min
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You Don't Have To Live Like This
Ben Markovitz
#1640
• Mentioned in 20 episodes
Pachinko
Allison Hiroto
Min Jin Lee
This novel follows the story of Sunja, a young Korean woman, and her family as they navigate the challenges of living as immigrants in Japan from the early 1900s to the late 1980s.
The book explores themes of love, sacrifice, ambition, and loyalty, set against the backdrop of significant historical events including World War II and the Korean War. It delves into the experiences of discrimination, cultural identity, and the struggles of everyday life for Korean families in Japan.
#4123
• Mentioned in 9 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.
#1816
• Mentioned in 18 episodes
Lincoln in the Bardo
Yannick Garcia Porres
George Saunders
Javier Calvo Perales
The novel is set in 1862 during the American Civil War and revolves around the death of Willie Lincoln, the 11-year-old son of President Abraham Lincoln.
After Willie's death from typhoid fever, his spirit finds itself in a limbo known as the bardo, a concept borrowed from Tibetan Buddhism.
Here, he encounters a diverse group of ghosts who are also trapped between the world of the living and the afterlife.
The story delves into themes of grief, both personal and national, as Lincoln grapples with the loss of his son amidst the broader context of the Civil War. The novel is characterized by its unique narrative style, which includes a multitude of voices and historical quotes, and its exploration of the human experience of suffering and love.
#11686
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Nothing to envy
ordinary lives in North Korea
Barbara Demick
In this landmark work of literary nonfiction, Barbara Demick follows the lives of six North Korean citizens over fifteen years, a period marked by significant events such as the death of Kim Il-sung, the rise of Kim Jong-il, and a devastating famine that killed one-fifth of the population.
Demick's meticulous reporting brings to life the Orwellian world of North Korea, where displays of affection are punished, informants are rewarded, and an offhand remark can lead to severe punishment.
The book humanizes the North Korean people, showing how they fall in love, raise families, nurture ambitions, and struggle for survival, ultimately leading to their profound disillusionment with the government.
#8040
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
The White Tiger
Aravind Adiga
The White Tiger is a novel by Aravind Adiga that tells the story of Balram Halwai, a poor Indian man who narrates his journey from servitude to becoming a successful entrepreneur.
The novel explores themes of class struggle, corruption, and individualism in a globalized India.
Through Balram's story, Adiga critiques the social and economic inequalities prevalent in modern India.
#59019
The Rest of Our Lives
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Ben Markovitz
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All that is
James Salter
James Salter's "All That Is" is a sprawling novel that delves into the lives of several characters across different time periods.
The narrative explores themes of love, loss, and the passage of time, weaving together interconnected stories.
Salter's evocative prose captures the beauty and complexities of human relationships, creating a rich tapestry of emotions.
The novel is a testament to Salter's mastery of language and his ability to portray the nuances of human experience.
It is a poignant reflection on life's journey and the enduring power of memory.
#3551
• Mentioned in 10 episodes
Audition
Everything an Actor Needs to Know to Get the Part
Michael Shurtleff
This book, written by Michael Shurtleff, provides comprehensive advice on auditioning techniques.
Drawing from his extensive experience in casting over 200 Broadway shows and various film and television productions, Shurtleff offers practical guidance for actors.
The book includes his famous '12 Guideposts' for monologue and scene work, such as 'Relationships – how to create them onstage' and 'Conflict – what are you fighting for?
' It covers every aspect of auditioning, from basic acting techniques to handling distractions and risks, and is applicable not only to actors but also to other areas of life where 'auditions' occur.
#25222
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Flesh
David Szalay
string
#12643
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Flashlights
Susan Choi
#
PADDY CLARKE HA HA HA
Roddy Doyle
The novel follows Patrick 'Paddy' Clarke, a mischievous 10-year-old boy living in Barrytown, North Dublin, in the late 1960s.
It chronicles his relationships with his younger brother Sinbad, his parents, and his schoolmates.
The story is a bildungsroman, detailing Paddy's painful transition to maturity as he navigates the breakdown of his parents' marriage and takes on adult responsibilities.
The novel is known for its vivid and humorous portrayal of childhood and its exploration of themes such as family tension, social change, and the impact of historical events on personal lives.
#44798
The inheritance of loss
Kiran Desai
Kiran Desai's 'The Inheritance of Loss' intricately weaves together the lives of its characters against the backdrop of globalization and cultural identity.
Set between India and the United States, the novel explores themes of displacement, colonialism, and the search for belonging.
Through the stories of Judge Jemubhai Patel and his granddaughter Sai, Desai examines the complexities of post-colonial India.
The novel delves into the impact of Westernization on traditional societies and the struggles individuals face in navigating a rapidly changing world.
Desai's rich prose and insightful observations offer a poignant reflection on the human condition.
#56361
Any Human Heart
Emma Sumner
#1320
• Mentioned in 23 episodes
All Fours
Miranda July
Miranda July's "All Fours" is a poignant and unconventional novel that explores themes of aging, mortality, and the complexities of human connection.
The narrative unfolds through the experiences of an unnamed narrator grappling with her changing body and relationships.
July's writing style is characterized by its intimate and often humorous approach to profound subjects.
The book delves into the challenges of intergenerational friendships and the societal obsession with youth.
Ultimately, "All Fours" offers a reflective and empathetic portrayal of the human experience.
#53855
The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny
None
Kiran Desai
#75276
Starlinghouse
Alex Harrow
#31786
William
Mason Coile
#2197
• Mentioned in 16 episodes
Orbital
Samantha Harvey
Explore this year's Booker Prize shortlist on the latest episode of the Book Club Review! Hosts Kate and Laura and contributors Phil Chaffee and Martin Vovk discuss and debate the six shortlisted novels.
Listen in to hear our predictions, and then find out our reaction to the winner as we listen in to the live Booker Prize ceremony. We won't spoil the plots for you, just whet your appetite to read some or all of the books, all of which make for brilliant discussion.
Booklist
Paddy Clark, Ha, H, Ha by Roddy Doyle
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
Flesh by David Szalay
All That Man Is by David Szalay
Starling House by Alex E. Harrow
Any Human Heart by William Boyd
The Rest of Our Lives by Benjamin Markowitz
Carmageddon by Daniel Knowles
You Don't Have To Live Like This by Benjamin Markowitz
Oh William by Elizabeth Strout
All Fours by Miranda July
The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai
The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai
Audition by Katie Kitamura
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
Flashlight by Susan Choi
Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
Prophet Song by Paul Lynch
Seascraper by Benjamin Wood
Booker Longlist episode
Episode 181 of The Book Club Review
Martin's Eyes On the Prize blog
Browse Martin's archive and discover his extensive reviews (including The Women's Prize) here.
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