Very shortly, the Baileys shadow jury will be posting its shortlist. This will be the third year I’ve read the whole longlist in advance of the official decision, but the first I’ve had the privilege of sharing the process with other readers. We’ve discussed the novels as we’ve gone along, thanks to Naomi Frisby, our […]
The Baileys Longlist 2015. And before I begin, I would like to wave at some brilliant, original, astonishing writers. I would like to wave at Susan Barker. Sarah Hall and Linda Grant. At Anna Smaill, at Claire Fuller and Kate Hamer, at Shelley Harris and Harriet Lane. At Carys Bray and Marilynne Robinson. At Maggie […]
So tomorrow the winner of the Goldsmith’s Prize will be announced. I didn’t set out to read the shortlist, but once I’d read the Man Booker and Green Carnation longlists, I only had two more books to read. Ali Smith’s How to be both was my favourite for the Man Booker; Paul Kingsnorth’s The Wake […]
I first became aware of the Green Carnation Prize last year when it was won by a book I already loved, Far From the Tree by Andrew Solomons. Books bring people together; if a stranger loves a book you love, you’ve automatically got something in common. So while I’ve been reading the Baileys and Man […]
I’m lucky enough to have an entirely imaginary Richard Flanagan (IRF) sitting at my kitchen table with an entirely imaginary journalist (IJ), and I’m witnessing the Post-Man Booker interview we’ve all been waiting for. IJ: So, Richard – can I call you Richard? – congratulations on winning the Man Booker this year. We know your […]
