Booker shortlist 2024: Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner

Our panel was very mixed on this book and so is the literary community. You can read our short reviews here: Creation Lake. The novel made it onto 2 of our predictions lists (Jen and Lisa correctly predicted it). The Booker judges had this to say about the book…

‘Sadie Smith – not her real name – is an FBI agent turned spy-for-hire, whose latest mission is to infiltrate a commune of eco-activists in rural France. She’s an extraordinary creation: sharp-minded, iron-willed, accustomed to moving fast and breaking things. As she investigates the group, she hacks into emails from their guru, a shadowy eccentric who has withdrawn from modernity into the ancient caves that dot the landscape; he has some beguiling ideas about the role of Neanderthals through history. What’s so electrifying about this novel is the way it knits contemporary politics and power with a deep counter-history of human civilisation. We found the prose thrilling, the ideas exciting, the book as a whole a profound and irresistible page-turner.’

You can read more about the novel and an author interview on the booker prize website: here.

What does our panel think of the odds of this book being this year’s winner? Keep reading to find out

Jen’s Thoughts: I haven’t always love Kusner’s books but I have always appreciated her intelligence. I happened to have really enjoyed this book. Despite the mixed reviews for this one, I wouldn’t be sad to see it win although I don’t think it will be our winner.
Why it Could Win: It’s Kushner and she is a brilliant writer and thinker. Judges and literary critics tend to shower praise on her books.
Why it Might Not Win: I think there are other books on this list that are more impactful.

Nicole’s Thoughts: I’m still pretty mid on this book.
Why it Could Win: Booker loves Kushner.
Why it Might Not Win: I thought it rambled too much and there are much better books on the list.

Tracy’s Thoughts: The more I think about this book, the more I like it. I may just have to revisit it.
Why it Could Win: It’s original. Kushner has taken the spy novel in a new direction, and it was a ride.
Why it Might Not Win: At the end of the book, it’s a spy novel.

Lisa’s Thoughts: This book was certainly unusual. It mixes musings about life from an old activist whom we never meet with the morally questionable activities of a spy whose background is largely undisclosed.
Why it Could Win: Unusual, and Rachel Kushner is the kind of author the judges might love.
Why it Might Not Win:  Creation Lake, Stone Yard Devotional, and James are all very strong contenders in my mind. I think each one of them is deserving of the prize although I want the judges to **only** pick one.

Anita’s Thoughts: For me, this novel was a shell, just built up enough, to hold Kushner’s genius. In terms of perspectives and observations on life, this book’s a winner. But other books seem to do a better job of wrapping their themes in an engaging story.
Why it Could Win: It’s actually very meaty in terms of its observations and philosophical point of view. And well, Kushner.
Why it Might Not Win:  It is lacking in many of the traditional elements of a novel that readers do expect, like a plot with some momentum or incredibly well drawn characters.

Try the book for yourself! You can purchase a copy here: Creation Lake

We want to hear from you? Have you read this one? Tell us what you thought of the book (link to your reviews or add a brief blurb in the comments). Do you think is will be the winner?