2025 Booker Shortlist: The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny

Last but not least is The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny. You can read our short reviews here: The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny. The novel made it onto three of our predictions lists with Nicole, Lisa, and myself predicting it would make the shortlist. The Booker judges had this to say about the book…

‘At its heart, this book is about Sonia and Sunny’s love, but it is also an expansive novel that encompasses several other characters and concerns. It is an intimate story about two people finding a pathway to love and each other. Read it if you are looking for a truly unforgettable epic, one rich in meditations about class, race, nationhood and the titular loneliness.’   

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

Jen’s Thoughts:
Why it Could Win: It’s exactly the sort of book that usually wins: Historical fiction albeit with a blend of magical realism. Desai is a brilliant writer and readers have been waiting for decades for this book. The ways in which Desai weaves in the central themes of love and loneliness into her characters and the plot is to be commended. Even minor characters are interesting and important to the narrative. Yes, it’s long but for me long doesn’t necessarily equate to overwritten or boring. While it did take a while to work my way through the novel, the last 1/3 of the book makes you realize the necessity for the length.
Why it Might Not Win: To echo my co-judges, the length clearly has turned some readers off. The majority of the shortlisted (and longlisted books) are quite short. But length hasn’t deterred prior booker judges.

Nicole’s Thoughts:
Why it Could Win: Desai is a Booker darling, non-prolific writer. The book is good, and some of the writing is amazing. It has a great shot … and it’s time for a woman to win, I believe.
Why it Might Not Win:  Good LORD THIS BOOK IS LONG. Unnecessarily so.

Tracy’s Thoughts: A beautiful stooory with two characters that just needed to find love on their own terms.
Why it Could Win: It reads like a soap opera at times- dramatic and emotional, while also entertaining. The cast of characters is vast, and so engaging.
Why it Might Not Win: It’s so long.

Anita’s Thoughts:
Why it Could Win: This novel exposes readers to a different culture in a very subtle way. Desai is an established and revered writer so she may have a bit more of a chance from that standpoint. The ending was absolutely beautiful.
Why it Might Not Win: It’s really long and overwritten. If the judges are going to pick an overwritten book, Flashlight is the better of the two options. The 90’s setting feels dated. It’s quite notable that most of the nominees were short so maybe the judges prefer shorter books overall.

Try the book for yourself! You can purchase a copy here: The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny

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?