Booker Prize 2019 our Shortlist Predictions

It’s time for our predictions. What books do we think will make the cut? Who will predict the most correct books? Are we going to have to read Ducks?

Lets start with the books predicted by our highly (or not) scientific rating scheme:

The Man Who Saw Everything
Girl, Woman, Other
Lanny
Night Boat to Tangier
Frankissstein
Quichotte

Nicole’s Predictions: I suppose my shortlist would be easier to determine if I start by eliminating books which shouldn’t be considered like Serial Killer and 10 Minutes.  (Though I enjoyed the former.)

I haven’t read all on my shortlist, but if I only voted for books that I read which I liked my short list would be quite short indeed.

1. The Man Who Saw Everything
2. Lost Children Archive
3. Ducks, Newburyport (haven’t read it, but I fear it – This years Solar Bones?)
4. The Testaments (I think either this or the Rushdie will make the shortlist)
5. The Wall (controversial, I know, but I think it hit some big themes really well)
6. Girl, Woman Other (have only started it, but everybody else is raving)

Am I missing out by not listing Lanny?  Perhaps … It was just too much like Stranger Things (season 1) for me.

Anita’s Predictions: So, I only managed to read five books from the long list plus a sliver of another, but I’ve read a LOT of reviews.  I’m only including one book, Ducks, Newburyport on my shortlist prediction that I distinctly did not like.  The last time I hated a book’s voice this much, it won the Man Booker, ahem, Milkman. The first two books on my list are my favorites, and I really, really hope they both make the shortlist.

1. The Man Who Saw Everything
2. Girl, Woman, Other
3. Lanny
4. Ducks, Newburyport
5. Frankissstein
6. Lost Children Archive

Tracy’s Predictions:

1. The Testaments- no one has been allowed to read this yet. Of course it will be shortlisted.
2. The Man Who Saw Everything- writing this brilliant deserves a spot on the shortlist.
3. Girl, Woman, Other- A terrific mishmash of characters and it’s current, yet timeless.
4. Ducks, Newburyport (I’m NOT rereading it if it is)- it is a Booker book. Even if I hated it.
5. Lost Children Archive- Another current, yet timeless book.
6. My Sister the Serial Killer- what’s a shortlist without a quirky book?

Susie’s Predictions: Do I predict based on the books that I want to make the shortlist, or the ones that I think will?  I think I’ll do both!

In no particular order, and bearing in mind that I’ve only read a small amount of the massive Ducks, Newburyport, and am yet to read The Testaments (nine more days here in Australia!) the six that I’d love to see make the shortlist are –

1. Night Boat to Tangier
2. The Man Who Saw Everything
3. Frankissstein
4. Lanny
5. Girl, Woman, Other
6. The Testaments (I’m holding on to the wish that it really is going to be that good! 

The six that I think will make the shortlist are —

1. Ducks, Newburyport (I just have a feeling)
2. Night Boat to Tangier
3. Frankissstein
4. Girl, Woman, Other
5. The Testaments
6. Lost Children Archive

I’m so excited to see the list.

Lisa’s Predictions:

1. Lanny
2. Girl, Woman, Other
3. The Man Who Saw Everything
4. Night Boat to Tangiers
5. The Testaments
6. An Orchestra of Minorities

Jen’s Predictions: I have only read about half the books but I will be bold and make my predictions based on very little first hand knowledge/reading. Here are the books I think will make the list

1. The Man Who Saw Everything
2. The Testaments
3. Lost Children Archive
4. Ducks, Newburyport
5. Girl, Woman, Other
6. Frankissstein

Bring on the shortlist!  (I predict grumbling and eyerolling)