2025 Booker Shortlist: Audition

Next up is Audition by Katie Kitamura. You can read our short reviews here: Audition. The novel made it onto 4 of our predictions lists with all by Lisa predicting it will make the shortlist. The Booker judges had this to say about the book…

‘This novel begins with an actress meeting a young man in a Manhattan restaurant. A surprising, unsettling conversation unfolds, but far more radical disturbances are to come. Aside from the extraordinarily honed quality of its sentences, the remarkable thing about Audition is the way it persists in the mind after reading, like a knot that feels tantalisingly close to coming free. Denying us the resolution we instinctively crave from stories, Kitamura takes Chekhov’s dictum – that the job of the writer is to ask questions, not answer them – and runs with it, presenting a puzzle, the solution to which is undoubtedly obscure, and might not even exist at all.’

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 loved this book. Unique, thought-provoking, and meticulously written.
Why it Could Win: I wouldn’t be surprised to see it win. This is the sort of book that often takes the prize and it’s the sort of book that challenges readers. Short but rather complex.
Why it Might Not Win: A lot of people hate the book (I actually think that is another reason why it might win). There are other books that on the shortlist that I think will likely edge this book out.

Nicole’s Thoughts: I didn’t finish this book at 46% because I hated the main character. I intend to finish it at some point to try to understand the hoopla.
Why it Could Win: This is actually my pick for the win. The panel, the writer, the parts of it I never got to .. haha.
Why it Might Not Win:  Doesn’t stand up to a 3rd re-read?

Tracy’s Thoughts: I loved this book- it is high on my list of best reads this year.
Why it Could Win: The way Kitamura plays with structure, time, and the reader’s brain is intriguing, and I’m all in.
Why it Might Not Win: It may be too innovative- there have been a lot of love it or hate it readers.

Anita’s Thoughts: This book is my favorite on the shortlist (though still in the middle of the Desai).
Why it Could Win: The structure is totally innovative and open to reader interpretation. There’s a lot of ways to interpret what Kimura is doing here and the book will stand up to analysis and re-reading for years to come.
Why it Might Not Win: A lot of real readers really disliked it, so a win will be controversial.

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

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?