2023 Booker musings: Reflections and favorites

Every year when our panel reads the longlist, we rate each book on several categories including writing, originality, plot development, character development, and enjoyment. This year each of our panelists will pick their favorite book for specific to each category and a few other new categories. Later this afternoon we will post our predictions.

Jen’s overall thoughts: This year’s list was a mess. I was at a loss as to why half the books made the list. I also hated the fact that so many books were similar with respect to their predominant themes of parental loss, abuse, trauma. For me, the Booker prize is an opportunity to showcase top literature published in english. And that list should include books that capture or highlight our current time so that when we look back on prior lists we can see how those books reflect current literature (whether they pushed literary boundaries with style or content or whether they described and connected the reader to our current socio-political world). Did any of these books really push the boundaries with respect to literary style, approach, content? How many of these books will be memorable or become classics? Honestly, I’ve already forgotten the details of half of them.

How many of the longlist books did you read: All of them. I had to speed read my way through Bee Sting and Prophet Song which was a bit challenging.
Best writing: Old God’s Time
Most original: In Ascension
Best Plot development: The House of Doors
Best Character development: All the Little Bird Hearts
Most enjoyable read: The House of Doors & All the Little Bird Hearts. I loved them equally.
Least enjoyable read: The Study for Obedience
Which book would you want to read again? Study for Obedience. I hated the writing style but this book was the most dense in terms of meaning and themes for reflection and thus merits a second read.

Book Worm’s overall thoughts

How many of the longlist books did you read: All of them
Best writing: – All the Little Bird Hearts
Most original – Prophet Song
Best Plot development – Old God’s Time
Best Character development – The Bee Sting
Most enjoyable read – House of Doors
Least enjoyable read – In Ascension
Which book would you want to read again? All the Little Bird Hearts

Nicole’s overall thoughts
Best writing: Pearl
Most original: House of Doors
Best Plot development: House of Doors
Best Character development: Really hard to stay … They’ve sort of run together
Most enjoyable read: Pearl
Least enjoyable read: This Other Eden
Which book would you want to read again? Pearl

Adding my own category – haha – Most terrifying: Prophet Song

Tracy’s overall thoughts: What a strange longlist! I’m not sure I’d call this the best representation of English language fiction this past year, but there were a few gems I’d never have read otherwise.

How many of the longlist books did you read: All but Bee Sting
Best writing: Study for Obedience and Pearl
Most original: How to Build a Boat
Best Plot development: House of Doors and A Spell of Good Things
Best Character development: All the Little Bird Hearts
Most enjoyable read: Pearl
Least enjoyable read: In Ascension and This Other Eden
Which book would you want to read again? Study for Obedience