As I write, the announcement of the 2023 Booker Prize is just a few hours away. You can follow proceedings live on the Booker YouTube channel here.
I have completed five out of the six shortlisted titles and am halfway through my final book Prophet Song. I have published reviews of four of the titles. I only finished Sarah Bernstein’s Study for Obedience today and I’m still not quite sure how I feel about it so I’m going to need to do a bit more processing before posting a review on that one.
Prophet Song? Hmm, I’m not sure. I’m about halfway through but I don’t think it’s going to turn out to be my favourite. I’m hoping to finish it in the coming days and to post a review later this week.
So, who do I think is going to win? Without a moment’s hesitation my favourite book was The Bee Sting and I also think it was the highest achievement. For me, If I Survive You comes second, and I have a sneaking feeling that one might win. It seems a little more “zeitgeisty”? Western Lane is, for me, just not quite in the same league, quietly moving though it is. This Other Eden is good, it tells a great story, but not as good as Murray or Escoffery for me.
Anyway, just a couple of hours to go. The Booker always throws up surprises, so I’m not expecting to have called it right!
Julia's books 
Well done on reading through them all, you are now reading the winner!
I’ve enjoyed following it, but didn’t read any of the shortlist, though I did read the other two Irish novels on the longlist, both of which I enjoyed.
I’m not sure if I want to expose my imagination to Prophet Song, despite all the good reasons the judges have given us about why we should read it. I’ll be interested to see what you think once you’re finished it.
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I am indeed reading the winner – it’s good but for me not…great. So far!
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