The Booker Prize 2019 longlist was announced on Wednesday. The 13 titles are:
The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
Night Boat to Tangier by Kevin Barry
My Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Ducks, Newburyport by Lucy Ellmann
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo
The Wall by John Lanchester
The Man Who Saw Everything by Deborah Levy
Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli
An Orchestra of Minorities by Chigozie Obioma
Lanny by Max Porter
Quichotte by Salman Rushdie
10 Minutes 38 Seconds In This Strange World by Elif Shafak
Frankissstein by Jeanette Winterson
I posted a list of predictions last Sunday – part personal wish list and part those I thought might be successful based on trends from past longlists. In the end, I got four right: ‘Lost Children Archive’ by Valeria Luiselli which was also on the Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist, ‘Ducks, Newburyport’ by Lucy Ellmann which looks set to be the indie publishing hit of the year, ‘The Wall’ by John Lanchester and ‘The Testaments’ by Margaret Atwood. Overall, there are fewer surprises than usual in a longlist dominated by established names and previous prizewinners. My prediction about historical fiction hasn’t really transpired in the actual longlist which appears to be more focused on contemporary settings and issues, but I will still be looking out for the books I listed last week.
Eligibility runs from October to September of the prize year, so books due to be published in the later months are normally brought forward before the shortlist is announced due to the extra interest. However, as things stand, ‘The Testaments’ remains under strict embargo until its 10th September release date, even though the shortlist will be announced on 3rd September. The Booker Prize judges can’t give much away about the content of the book but have said it is “terrifying and exhilarating”. Here’s hoping it’s worth the wait.
I haven’t read any of the longlisted books yet. I am keen to start with ‘Lost Children Archive’ and ‘My Sister, The Serial Killer’ which were both on the Women’s Prize longlist. Bernardine Evaristo and Deborah Levy are two highly acclaimed authors I have heard lots of good things about too. I am also planning to read ‘The Overstory’ by Richard Powers soon which was on last year’s shortlist, so this year’s titles might have to wait a while.
What do you think of this year’s longlist? Have you read any of the nominated books? Which ones would you like to see on the shortlist?
A Little Blog of Books 
While I understand the hype about Ducks, Newburyport, I found it unreadable and as I have 12 other long listed books to read abandoned it, I may have another go but would rather read Ulysses again!
I loved Grief is a thing with feathers, so was looking forward to Lanny by Max Porter. This is much more lyrical and a mythodrama – if there is such a word – it swings between a local Green Man myth and the present day life of an English village. There are some wonderful touches and I loved this book, but do not think it will win.
As to my feelings about books I would have like to see – where to start? But I have not yet read all the others, so reserve judgement
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I doubt I will get to Ducks, Newburyport any time soon – lots of people love it but I’m not sure I would get on with the narrative style.
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I wanted to read Girl, Woman, Other until I realised it was in verse, though I might still give it a go. And I intend to buy the Atwood, however I and my husband need to re-read The Handmaid’s Tale first!
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Yes, I think it’s been about 10 years since I read The Handmaid’s Tale so a reread is definitely in order!
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I now own copies of 8 of them – so am looking forward to a summer/s reading, but although I subcribed to Galley Beggars and got Ducks, Newburyport, I can’t put it to the top of my reading pile – just because of it’s length.
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Yes, I’m still not sure if Ducks, Newburyport might be best read a little bit everyday over a couple of months, or as quickly as possible in one go (as far as that’s possible?!).
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I’ve read several novels by Atwood, but have never gotten to Handmaid. It might be worth a read in advance of The Testaments!
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Absolutely!
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Lanny is the only book on the longlist I’ve read and I loved it. I hope it makes it through!
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I liked Grief is the Thing With Feathers and I’ve heard good things about Lanny too 🙂
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It’s always hilarious how few of the lists I’ve already read or even hear of when they come out
I’ve read Lanny. It’s good but I think too slight and narrow in focus to be shortlisted.
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I’ve heard good things about Lanny and I liked Grief is the Thing With Feathers – will be interesting to see which books make the shortlist.
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Well the results are not much satisfying for me. I’m not much impressed by The Testaments if compared with The Handmaid’s Tale
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Interesting! I haven’t read The Testaments yet, but also want to reread The Handmaid’s Tale before I do…
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