The results are in! Yes, the “real” Man Booker short list gets revealed on Tuesday, but that’s only what those “official” judges think. I think our list is going to be at least as good. I was surprised to find that we didn’t struggle much to come up with this list — no feuds began or friendships ended (at least I don’t think so…). Yes, we did disagree about many of the books, but the results seemed almost inevitable after six weeks of reading and discussing the possibilities. We got to know each other’s opinions well.
Or maybe I feel like everything went smoothly largely because the group short list is remarkably similar to my own personal short list. In fact, five of the books are the same, and the sixth I could easily have switched out to make them completely the same. I don’t think this has to do with any superior powers of insight or persuasion on my part, though; I just happened to hold opinions two or three other people held often enough to get my way most of the time.
So! Here’s the list, in alphabetical order by author:
- The Sellout, by Paul Beatty
- The North Water, by Ian McGuire
- The Many, by Wyl Menmuir
- Eileen, by Ottessa Moshfegh
- My Name is Lucy Barton, by Elizabeth Strout
- All That Man Is, by David Szalay
The only change from my list is to include The North Water instead of Hot Milk. But I like this list just fine. What do you think?
Of Books and Bicycles 
Well, the only one I’ve read is The Sellout, which I enjoyed very much. I don’t think there’s a clear favorite this year like Brief History of Seven Killings was last year – what do you think?
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I have a favorite or two but it certainly is not an open and shut case for me like last year with Brief History. Last year when we put our shortlist out, I felt fairly comfortable that we were close to what the judges would release. This year, who knows? This is an odd Booker year!
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Yes, a very odd Booker year. We weren’t TOO far off. Although may be 50% is pretty far off… 🙂
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I don’t think there’s a clear favorite either. Perhaps the closest is The Sellout. But it’s not as clear as the James was.
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Heh, who cares what the “official” judges say! I haven’t read any of them. Will you all be picking a “winner” from your short list or from the “official” short list?
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I believe we are going to pick a winner, but I’m not sure from which list! Maybe one from both. But it depends on how the voting goes — we may have three people (out of five) voting for one book that’s on both lists. In fact, I think that’s how it probably will go.
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It’s great how you and Frances and Nicole seemed to agree, and Teresa and I seemed to agree, and somehow we all agreed together on this list of six. Somehow, I say, when I really know why: it’s because we are bright and beautiful and bibliophiliacs. xo
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We work together really well, Bellezza 🙂
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