The Man Booker International Prize longlist was announced last night and I was able to predict four of the thirteen books. Like most years I am tempted to try and read all the books longlisted but I doubt I would be able to achieve that. I have only read one of the books so far and own another. I checked with my local library and they have four of the longlist (one I own). So as it stands I will have to start with the books available and then take it from there. Sometimes I wish I was an ebook reader, life would be easier.
What did you think of the longlist? How many have you read? Which ones are you excited to read? Personally I am excited to explore the list, I am however surprised to see Virginie Despentes on the list.
The 2018 longlist:
- Laurent Binet (France), Sam Taylor, The 7th Function of Language (Harvill Secker)
- Javier Cercas (Spain), Frank Wynne, The Impostor (MacLehose Press)
- Virginie Despentes (France), Frank Wynne, Vernon Subutex 1 (MacLehose Press)
- Jenny Erpenbeck (Germany), Susan Bernofsky, Go, Went, Gone (Portobello Books)
- Han Kang (South Korea), Deborah Smith, The White Book (Portobello Books)
- Ariana Harwicz (Argentina), Sarah Moses & Carolina Orloff, Die, My Love (Charco Press)
- László Krasznahorkai (Hungary), John Batki, Ottilie Mulzet & George Szirtes, The World Goes On (Tuskar Rock Press)
- Antonio Muñoz Molina (Spain), Camilo A. Ramirez, Like a Fading Shadow (Tuskar Rock Press)
- Christoph Ransmayr (Austria), Simon Pare, The Flying Mountain (Seagull Books)
- Ahmed Saadawi (Iraq), Jonathan Wright, Frankenstein in Baghdad (Oneworld)
- Olga Tokarczuk (Poland), Jennifer Croft, Flights (Fitzcarraldo Editions)
- Wu Ming-Yi (Taiwan), Darryl Sterk, The Stolen Bicycle (Text Publishing)
- Gabriela Ybarra (Spain), Natasha Wimmer, The Dinner Guest (Harvill Secker)
There is nothing, and I mean no thing, about Virginie Despentes that appeals to me. I don’t even like the horrible cover on what I am sure will be an appalling book.
The rest look quite promising. I am loving The Stolen Bicycle right now.
I was shocked by Virginie Despentes on the list. I’ve read her before and while I like transgressive lit, I felt like her book was transgressive for no reason. I am a little curious because of the music connection but a little worried. I’ve started The Stolen Bicycle but only a little into it.
Not sure if I will read the entire longlist but I’m making great progress