So what do you think?

CharlasOrange January/July

Únete a LibraryThing para publicar.

So what do you think?

Este tema está marcado actualmente como "inactivo"—el último mensaje es de hace más de 90 días. Puedes reactivarlo escribiendo una respuesta.

1rainpebble
Jun 5, 2013, 2:20 pm

A.M. Homes's May We Be Forgiven has won.
Any opinions?

2raidergirl3
Jun 5, 2013, 2:59 pm

It's one that I didn't get read, sadly.

3lauralkeet
Jun 5, 2013, 4:44 pm

Well, now I know what I'm reading in July! I always read the year's winner, and some short listed books. This time I've already read two from the 2013 short list (Life after Life and Bring up the Bodies).

4Donna828
Jun 5, 2013, 5:30 pm

I loved the catchy cover, liked the story, but the main character's actions as the guardian of his niece and nephew left a bad taste in my mouth. Homes is an excellent writer. We just didn't connect on May We Be Forgiven. I read the six books on the SL and this was my #5 pick!

5Yells
Jun 5, 2013, 5:44 pm

I am really surprised to be honest! Good book (loved the sarcasm) but an odd choice for a literary award. This years list has had me more than a little confused...

6AnneDC
Jun 5, 2013, 5:45 pm

I have to say I'm surprised!

>4 Donna828: Donna, it was my #6! (Although I confess I haven't quite finished Flight Behavior, I can tell it's going to wind up roughly in the middle of the pack). I actually liked May We Be Forgiven well enough, much more than I expected to, and gave it 4 stars, but I liked it less than any of the others, and much less than Life After Life, which was my favorite.

7kidzdoc
Editado: Jun 5, 2013, 6:54 pm

Seriously? The judges thought that this book was better than Bring Up the Bodies or Life After Life??? I haven't read and won't read May We Be Forgiven, but it seems rather lightweight in comparison to these two books.

8Her_Royal_Orangeness
Jun 5, 2013, 6:41 pm

I have to say that this one is going on the list of prize winners I'll probably never read. The synopsis sounds like nothing I'd be interested in. I'm so disappointed for Kate Atkinson - Life After Life is a brilliant novel.

9vancouverdeb
Jun 5, 2013, 6:50 pm

I'm okay with the winner, since I read the book - and gave it 4. 5 stars. I had read Life After Life, May We Be Forgiven and Where'd You Go Bernadette. I abandoned Flight Behaviour after 90 - 100 pages. May We Be Forgiven - there is more to it than one might think - but even so, it's not what I would expect as a literary prize. I was really pulling for Life After Life. I had read that May We Be Forgiven was " tipped to win" - I think because of how the judges seemed to favour it with the discussion that they had with the shortlist, so perhaps for me that lessened the surprise with the winner.

It was my number 2 pick for the prize, but I had only completed reading three of the books. I guess the judges wanted to shake things up.

I thought that Howard - the Guardian of the niece and nephew rather endeared himself to me and turned out to be quite a lovely man. It's certainly not a book I'd recommend to many , and I'm surprised I was not turned off by the swearing and sex -but it was sort of a satirical look at life, and the isolation and instant gratification that so many of us look for. It seemed to me that Howard ( I think that was his name - it was a library book ) really redeemed himself as time went on and changed his view of life quite a bit as the novel progressed. Like AnneDC, it was not a book I expected to like - and then I did enjoy it after all.

Well, since it is now the Bailey Prize I guess we can just all have a drink ! :)

10rainpebble
Editado: Jun 5, 2013, 10:34 pm

Prior to announcing the winner the lady announcing it did say that they were trying to reach out to a new group of readers who hadn't read the Orange in the past. I am wondering if that had anything to do with the chosen winner &/or even the long & short lists.?.
And I must say that it was rather fun watching it streaming live on google.

11brenpike
Jun 5, 2013, 11:44 pm

For me the six shortlisters fell into three distinct categories.
The Atkinson and Mantel at the top for great writing, interesting characterizations and provocative stories. Life After Life got my vote for the best based on it's creativity. Plus Mantel has already struck gold for Bring Up the Bodies.
Sempel and Homes were the middle two for me. Both enjoyable reads due to the quirky characters, over the top plot lines and humorous writing, qualities which do not generally garner literary prizes. Kingsolver's Flight Behavior and Smith's NW were both good enough, but not the best of either of those writers.

Anyone read other A.M.Homes books? I read her memoir The Mistress's Daughter last month, but am unfamiliar with her other work . . .

12Yells
Jun 6, 2013, 11:57 am

I just bought Music for Torching by Homes for $1 at a sale so might need to read that one sooner rather than later. I liked May We Be Forgiven but I just don't see it as award-winning material.

11 - I agree with everything except that I found NW to be one of Smiths better books. But I will admit, I am not a fan of her work (despite now reading 3 of her books!)

13rainpebble
Editado: Jun 29, 2013, 2:02 pm

Este mensaje fue borrado por su autor.