Booker Shortlist 2023: This Other Eden by Paul Harding

This Other Eden by Paul Harding

Is Eden the place where Booker winners live?

BookWorm:  Interesting historical fiction that shone a light on an Island community I had never heard of.

Why it Could Win: I have no idea how it got this far so by that logic I have no idea why it would win.

Why it Might Not Win: It really isn’t good enough to be a Booker winner.

Jen:

Why it Could Win: I disagree with Bookworm and think it is good enough to win. It’s brilliantly written and an interesting topic. It was slow going in terms of pace but aren’t most Booker winners slow-paced?

Why it Might Not Win: I do think there are other stronger books on the list this year.

Tracy: Ugh. I despised this book.

Why it Could Win: I don’t know why it would. I don’t get on with Harding’s writing at all. I guess it would because the judges have been brainwashed somehow.

Why it Might Not Win: The racism/appropriation, the purple prose. This is the only author I’ve read that can write such a short book, yet repeat so much. Drives me up an apple tree.

Nicole:

Why it Could Win: Esi Edugyan’s pet project

Why it Might Not Win: It’s just not good enough.  Aside from the island where the story takes place there was nothing original here, it was excessively long and descriptive and not in the least edifying.

Anita:

Why it Could Win:  The descriptive prose was beautiful and evocative.

Why it Might Not Win: BORING and read really, really long.  Undeveloped characters, plodding plot.

Lisa: 

Why it Could Win:  Evocative writing that I appreciated when I could slow down and sink in.  I thought that the dynamics of the island culture were fascinating.  Plus no one here really wants it to win.

Why it Might Not Win: Sounds like some of my colleagues did not appreciate the writing AT ALL.

Have you read this one? Do you think is will be the winner?