Hello
Gentle Reader
Once
again the Booker Prize is seeking the public’s help in naming its ‘Best of the
Booker [ . . . ] For Now,’ award. In others words: seeing as the award has been
around for fifty years, the Booker Prize Foundation is now, willing to name a ‘Golden
Anniversary,’ Booker Prize winner, from previously awarded writers and their
respective novels. The judging panel has already been selected and they are now
tasked with reading the books of the decades, starting from the inception of
the award in 1969 to the present (in other words two-thousand and seventeen).
Now
this isn’t the first time the Booker Prize Foundation has created a special
award, where the crème de le crème of the previous year’s winners have been weighted,
measured and judged by judges and the public. In two-thousand and eight, Salman
Rushdie and his Booker Prize winning novel “Midnight’s Children,” won the forty
year anniversary Best of the Booker award, and in nineteen-ninety three would
win again on the Booker Prize 25th anniversary for its “Booker of
Bookers,” year.
Now
the judges are tasked of reviewing a wide berth of novels and writers from the
mid twentieth century, to now. There are writers who are now considered the
masters and classics of their time, as well as Nobel Laureates, as well as
contemporary greats. The judges are set to read and review, and in May will
present a “Golden Shortlist,” of writers and their novels, after which the
public will have their say and vote on who they think deserves the Golden
award. The winner will then finally be announced on July 8th at the
Hay Festival.
So,
who are some noteworthy novelists who are in contention for the award?
The
elephant in the room with precedence behind him is: Salman Rushdie, with his second
novel “Midnight’s Children.” The novel went on to win the Booker Prize in 1981,
as well as winning the 1993, and again winning the special 40th
anniversary award in 2008. It can be confidently stated; the public enjoys “Midnight’s
Children,” and has supported the award in the past.
Iris
Murdoch will be in contest with her 1978 winning novel: “The Sea, The Sea.” The
novel traces the inner workings of a self-absorbed and egotistical playwright
and director, who begin to write his memoirs in his seaside retreat. The novel
is praised for its unique depiction of the cruelty of her characters, their
motivations, petty and petulance; all in complete contrast to their public
personas and displays of virtuous characteristics. It has been hailed as a
masterful psychological novel—though not the most flattering in its depiction
of the human soul.
V.S.
Naipaul, Nobel Laureae, distinguished novelist, critic, essayist, and travel is
also open to winning the Golden Booker with his novel: “In A Free State.” The
novel is considered a hallmark of his symphonic style, and dealt with his
themes regarding questions of freedom, especially the cost of freedom.
Margaret
Atwood is also in the running for the award with her multilayered Matryoshka
doll like novel “The Blind Assassin.” The novel is often considered one of
Atwood’s bests. It’s a unique story which moves through time freely, from
present to past, and we see the breakdown and collapse of a family, the march
of time, and the radicalism of youth. It’s stylistically postmodern and
metafictional delight, a real treat for a reader who desires something more and
something new.
J.M.
Coetzee another Nobel Laureate is also in contention to win the award. He is
one of three authors, who have won the Booker Prize twice; and perhaps this
doubles his chances. Coetzee first won the Booker Prize in 1983 with: “The Life
& Times of Michael K.” Then in 1999 he would win again with “Disgrace.”
Seeing as the author has won the Booker Prize twice and in two difference
decades perhaps, he will have a chance of greater chances in being on the
Golden Shortlist.
Hilary
Mantel is the third writer to have won the Booker Prize twice, as well as the
first woman to do so. Her first novel to win the Booker Prize in 2009 was “Wolf
Hall,” the beginning of her Tudor trilogy which details the life of Thomas
Cromwell. Her second novel in the trilogy “Bring Up the Bodies,” won her, her
second Booker Prize in 2012. Let’s face it . . . the English do love their
history, and Mantel’s work will be given serious consideration.
So
my Dear Gentle Reader, will you be voting for after the Golden Booker releases
its shortlist? Who do you think has the greatest chance? With fifty years of
books to cover, the judges have their work to cut out for them. They after all
are required to pick the very best and the most deserving writers and novels
for the shortlist, and only one can win. Will the winner be from the first
years of inception or will it be more contemporary in perspective? It’ll be
curious to see what the authors bring to the table when they create the
shortlist, it is a pity though to a degree we are not privy to the
conversations and debates which will most certainly arise during this time.
Thank-you
For Reading Gentle Reader
Take
Care
And
As Always
Stay
Well Read
M.
Mary
No comments:
Post a Comment