Hello
Gentle Reader
This
year’s Booker Prize was the first in years where the prize received greater recognition
for its diversity, and has been considered the strongest longlist and shortlist
in recent years. The judges praised this years listed books for being poignant
and particular treaties on today’s troubling social and political climate,
where they dealt with dark and often unsettling qualities of human nature and
the changing socio-political climate. The longlist in particular received particular
notice with its first time inclusion of a graphic novel (“Sabrina,” Nick
Drnaso). The praise of the longlist transitioned to the shortlist, with
continual praise being awarded to the diversity of location, gender, and again
themes.
On
the shortlist, Daisy Johnson was named as the favourite to win the award with
her debut novel: “Everything Under.” If she had won, she would have become the
youngest winner of the prize at the tender age of twenty-seven. Her novel a
reimagining of a classical Greek myth with contemporary tones and scenery
documents and explores the complicated and strained relationship between mother
and daughter. Since being shortlisted for the award, Daisy Johnson has been a
hotly discussed author of late, with the media and readers curious to learn
more about this particularly talented young writer. Sadly, however, Daisy
Johnson did not receive the award, nor did the bookies other favourite: Richard
Powers with his ecological novel: “The Overstory.”
The
winner of this year’s Booker Prize was, Anna Burns for her novel: “Milkman.” In
receiving the award, Anna Burns becomes the first Northern Irish author to receive
the Booker Prize. “Milkman,” has been praised as a experimental and haunting testament
on the contemporaries societies almost paranoid self. It’s narrated by an unnamed
eighteen year old woman, who is being perused (or hunted) by a paramilitary
figure only referred to as: “Milkman.” The novel is dense with few paragraph
breaks, no characters are named in favour of descriptions, and the use of
language is considered potent and unfamiliar, eschewing all conventional
courses of action. The novel has been called a breathtaking and uncomfortable
as well as relevant in light of the previous year’s climate of sexual violence
and scandal. Yet it’s how the novel was crafted with its unique use of language
and experimental format that truly captivated the judges who were in unanimous
agreement of its worth and merit.
Congratulations
to Anna Burns, truly a well-deserved winner!
Thank-you
For Reading Gentle Reader
Take
Care
And
As Always
Stay
Well Read
M.
Mary
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