Booker 2004 Shortlist out

[Jayaprakash Satyamurthy]

This Tuesday, the Booker panel announced this year's shortlist:

Achmat Dangor Bitter Fruit
Sarah Hall The Electric Michelangelo
Alan Hollinghurst The Line of Beauty
David Mitchell Cloud Atlas
Colm Tóibín The Master
Gerard WoodwardI’ll go to Bed at Noon


The results are to be announced 19th October. The only book I've read on the list is David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas, since several of my favourite sf/f reviewers rated it very highly. (It was excellent, by the way). Has anyone read it, or the others? Who do you favour to win this year?

 

[dwndrgn]

I've not heard of any of them so most definitely haven't read them. Hmm...perhaps I should? Anyone care to fill me in on them if you've read them?

 

[Mark Robson]

The Master? Who would want to write a book about a mouse with a large head and ridiculous ears! (Hope he's not listening, or I'll be on more than just Lacey's hit list!)

I note that I'm not on the list again this year *sigh*. I guess it would help to have released a book...

 

[Jayaprakash Satyamurthy]

dwndrgn: I think the links to the write up on each book on the Booker site are in my post, for an overview of each book.

The one I've read was David Mitchell's Clout Atlas. It's composed of 6 interlocking narratives that take us from the Pacific Ocean in the 18th century to a very far post-apcalyptic future. The narratives echo each other across time and space, creating a layered, complex and very engrossing whole. Well worth a read.