Reading All the Bookers!

  Booker Prize : Shortlisted 2016 Plot Time and Place :   1960's, a small town in New England Opening sentence :   "I looked like a girl you'd expect to see on a city bus, reading some clothbound book from the library about plants or geography, perhaps wearing a net over my light brown hair." Plot summary :   Eileen Dunlop, an unassuming yet disturbed young woman, is trapped between her role as her alcoholic father’s carer in his squalid home and her job as a secretary at the boys’ prison, filled with its own daily horrors. When the charismatic Rebecca Saint John arrives on the scene as the new counsellor at the prison, Eileen is enchanted and unable to resist a miraculously budding friendship. But this new affection is about to cost her dearly. (from the bookerprizes.com) Review : I loved this. Eileen is a fascinating character, so flawed, unhappy, trapped in a miserable life. And I liked the noir atmosphere, the suspense, and the writing. I identified with Eil...

  Booker Prize:   WINNER 1979 Plot Time and Place :   Present day, on the Thames, London, England. Opening sentence :   ""Are we to gather that Dreadnought is asking us all to do something dishonest?" Richard asked." Plot summary : " The shortest novel to win the Booker Prize, Fitzgerald offers a delightful glimpse into the workings of the eccentric London community living on houseboats." (from thebookerprizes.com) Review :   I enjoyed the writing and the characters, it was a nice read. Rating :  3/5

  Booker Prize:   Shortlisted 1969 Plot Time and Place :   Rome in the 1960's Opening sentence :   "It was the middle of Friday morning". Plot summary :  This story is about a famous actress who worries a lot about her public image and people's perception of her. The men around her (her husband, her manager, her friend) all try to control her, but she fights back and regains some agency. Review : I enjoyed the feminist angle, but the story is just not that interesting.  Rating :  2/5

Booker Prize:   Shortlisted 2023 Plot Time and Place :   19th century, on an island off the coast of Maine, USA Opening sentence :   "Benjamin Honey - American, Bantu, Igbo - born enslaved - freed or fled at fifteen, only he ever knew - ship's carpenter, aspiring orchardist, arrived on the island with his wife, Patience, née Raferty, Galway girl, in 1793." Plot summary :  In 1792, formerly enslaved Benjamin Honey and his Irish wife, Patience, discover an island where they can make a life together. More than a century later, the Honeys' descendants remain, with an eccentric, diverse band of neighbours. But one summer, a prejudiced missionary lands on the island's shores, disrupting the community's fragile balance with everlasting consequences. (Penguin edition) Review : i appreciated the lyricism of the writing. However, I didn't really relate to any of the characters, or the story, and I found the reading to be boring and slow. The ending of the story was ...

Booker Prize:   2020 Shortlisted Plot Time and Place :   In the near future, in the wild. Opening sentence :   "The baby emerged from Bea the color of a bruise." Plot summary :  The book tells the story of a group of strangers who, as part of an experiment, are living as nomads in the last wildlife region. The story is centered around Bea and her daughter Agnes, and explores the mother-daughter relationship. Bea joined the experiment to save young Agnes from dying, as her lungs were damaged by the polluted air of the City. Review :  Interesting bits and food for thought: -a cry for help for the natural world/ climate change/ climate refugees; -how we humans always destroy the natural world; -interesting to think how quickly we humans would regress into a "primitive" state; -how would people adapt to living as nomads; -feelings between mother/ daughter Bits I didn't like so much: -boring to read, not very well written, flat characters, bad dialogue, not a c...

  Booker Prize:   WINNER 2001 Plot Time and Place :   Australia, 1870's Opening sentence :  "I lost my own father at 12 yr. of age and know what it is to be raised on lies and silences my dear daughter you are presently too young to understand a word I write but this history is for you and will contain no single lie may I burn in Hell if I speak false." Plot summary :  This is a fictional account of Ned Kelly, the famed Australian bushranger. This is the captivating tale of an outlaw who was considered a national hero. Standing up for the underdog and defying the corrupt powers of the time, Kelly robbed banks, stole horses and murdered police officers with the help of his gang of outlaw misfits. (from thebookerprizes.com) Review :  Well written, fun to read and full of adventures, but I thought it was too long and at times just felt like more of the same. Rating :   3/5