Booker shortlist 2024: Held by Anne Michaels

Apologies for rushing through these last three posts but time got away from me and I wanted to post this last one before our predictions post (which I will also post tonigh). Our panel had somewhat mixed reviews for Held. You can read our short reviews here: Held. The novel made it onto 3 of our predictions lists with Nicole, Tracy, and Anita predicting it. The Booker judges had this to say about the book…

‘The first few pages of this brief kaleidoscopic novel from the author of Fugitive Pieces may seem forbidding, yet every member of the judging panel was transported by this book. Michaels, a poet, is utterly uncompromising in her vision and execution. She is writing about war, trauma, science, faith and above all love and human connection; her canvas is a century of busy history, but she connects the fragments of her story through theme and image rather than character and chronology, intense moments surrounded by great gaps of space and time. Appropriately for a novel about consciousness, it seems to alter and expand your state of mind. Reading it is a unique experience.’

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

Tracy’s Thoughts: I listened to this, and I think I should have read it. Anne Michaels is a poet, so her page setup looks to be important to the story. Another reflective book with little plot, this has beautiful writing and characters, but it was kinda boring.
Why it Could Win: This type of book is catnip for the judges.
Why it Might Not Win: This type of book is cilantro for readers.

Lisa’s Thoughts: I found it hard to follow the threads that tied the characters in the different chapters together. And without those threads, it’s really a series of short stories, most of which were not terribly memorable.
Why it Could Win: Beautiful writing, “important” themes.
Why it Might Not Win:  I’m hoping for a less dense and complicated book, actually, like James or Stone Yard Devotional.

Anita: In some ways, this book is the one I would really want to re-read because I don’t think I really discerned it’s deeper themes and messages. But realistically, I won’t because it wasn’t very interesting.
Why it Could Win: The writing is beautiful and poetic.
Why it Might Not Win: It’s just not memorable at all. I think some people will find it minimally engaging as well.

Jen’s Thoughts: I really appreciated this book and for me be it had the best writing of the lot. I read this while jotting down notes so I did see connections between the threads and it made it much more enjoyable for me.
Why it Could Win: Beautiful writing and the booker is about great writing.
Why it Might Not Win: It’s an underdog in most of my circles. I’ve read lots of reviews of people who didn’t connect with it. Obviously the judges did connect but I think the favor is on the side of a few other contenders.

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

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?