Reading All the Bookers!

  Booker Prize :   Shortlisted 1976 Plot Time and Place :  Belfast and Paris, the 1970's Opening sentence :    " "The plane from Belfast arrived on time, but when the passengers disembarked there was a long wait for baggage." Plot summary :   A surgeon's wife embarks on a passionate affair with a younger man, while on holiday in Paris. Review :   This author is very good at getting inside the characters' minds and showing the reader what they think and feel. I enjoyed how the book explores the themes of religion, guilt, and also the feminist angle of the whole story. However, the ending was disappointing. Rating :    3/5

  Booker Prize :  Winner International Booker 2021 Plot Time and Place :  First World War, on the battlefront, and Senegal Opening sentence :     "I know, I understand, I shouldn't have done it." Plot summary : Alfa and Mademba are two Senegalese soldiers fighting in the Great War. Then Mademba is mortally wounded and dies. Without his more-than-brother, Alfa is alone and lost amidst the savagery of the conflict. How far will he go to make amends to his dead friend? Review :   I really enjoyed the writing, it is very melodic and beautiful. I also liked the story, touching on the themes of war, courage, friendship, grief, regret. Rating :  4/5

Booker Prize :  Shortlisted 1987 Plot Time and Place :  Eastern Europe, before the fall of Communism. Opening sentence :    "The car taking him back to the Residence entered Proclamation Square sometime between nine and nine-fifteen." Plot summary :  It's a political thriller about Stephen Bem, a Cardinal who is in conflict with the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy and finds himself caught in the middle of an escalating revolution.  Review :   It is very engaging, well written, with a good pace and interesting characters.  Rating :   4/5

  Booker Prize :  WINNER 2003 Plot Time and Place :  Present day Texas, USA Opening sentence :    "It's hot as hell in Martirio, but the papers on the porch are icy with the news." Plot summary : In this darkly comic novel, an acerbic, foul-mouthed 15-year-old boy goes on the run after a mass shooting at his Texas high school. Review :   This is brilliant. It's hard to say I liked it, because it's so depressing, but at the same time laugh-out-loud funny. Funny, smart, satirical, realistic. Rating :  4/5

  Booker Prize :    Shortlisted 1990 Plot Time and Place :  Northern Ireland, during the Troubles Opening sentence :    " At a quarter to nine, just before going off work, Dillon went down to reception to check the staff roster for tomorrow". Plot summary :  An ordinary man trying to get on with his life, Michael Dillon now finds himself suddenly on the edge, faced with a moral choice which leaves him nowhere to turn, in a nightmare maze of dead ends. Review :   Very interesting premise to start with (would you choose to save your wife's life or avert a tragedy causing many deaths?) and a good glimpse of life in Northern Ireland. Although not much really happens, you can't stop reading, it's very gripping.  Rating :  4/5