It's a very strange list this year. It's not bad but it's not special. I'd love to know why the judges chose what they did (and why they didn't choose other books).
Hi Alyssa 👋. I just came across your channel! I have been interested in the booker list enjoying reviews. I found Enlightenment audiobook on my Libby library app so thought I’d try it out. I have listened to James in the early summer and really enjoyed it!
To answer your question, yes, I read and enjoyed "Possession" about six months ago, when we discussed it on one of your videos. Sounds like I might like "Enlightenment", too. I've also read "The Essex Serpent", though I don't recollect much about the plot. What has stayed in my mind is the depiction of this little English village and its inhabitants on the coast of Essex in the year 1893, and the mood evoked by the descriptions of the sea, fog banks, mists, and large swathes of sea-marshes, with perhaps a legendary sea monster lurking within them. I don't see any scribbled comments in my copy of the book, which suggests I read it in a pleasurable, page-turning hurry. The novel has a wonderful evocation of the late Victorian era that reminds me of Sarah Waters' "Tipping the Velvet".
@@NerdyNurseReads Just as long as you understand that "The Essex Serpent" doesn't mean what you think it might mean after having read "Tipping the Velvet".
My favourites I have read so far on the longlist are My Friends and James. But yes I agree several other books i have read off the list are ok but not remarkable or great books not yet read Enlightenment
Possession is one of my all time favourite books, and I gave Englightenment 3.5. I enjoyed the writing style and loved the astronomy and physics, but was bored with all of the religious struggles - I dont understand why anyone struggles with "belief" in the unbelievable. That aside, i compeltely agree with your view that most of the books this year are middling at best. I have finished ten books on the list and, besides the one we know is going to be the ultimate winner, the only other book i have loved so far was Orbital.
I think the problem with the Possession comparison is that it makes people think this is going to be as good as Possession and that's just not the case. They have a similar vibe, and I think if Possession is your vibe, you might like Enlightenment. However, I think a lot of readers will find it boring. And I agree that the religious struggles are part of what will make this boring for people. I have enjoyed it bc I have my own complicated relationship with the church and faith, and I enjoy reading about people working through their own struggles. I've finally finished all the longlisted books, and I don't think Enlightenment will make the shortlist (I'll be shocked if I'm wrong about this).
Didn't Possession WIN The Booker? That seems reason enough for Enlightenment to make the list, maybe. I do think that in years where there is an outstanding book, the judges feel less pressure to choose the absolutely best books for the LL.
It did indeed win The Booker! But I don’t think this is the same caliber as Possession. You make a good point about the judges not being pressured to pick the best of the best when there’s an outstanding book on the list.
@@NerdyNurseReads I just finished Wild Houses. I loved it but the whole time I'm wondering how it landed on this list. Then I realized, for what seems like a caper novel, there's a lot of introspection in it. It has that in common with the other books I've read/ am currently reading from the LL. Orbital, Headshot, Stone Yard Devotional.
Loved this! Beautiful and reflective, but that is my vibe.
YAY!! Another Enlightenment lover!
This is my first foray into the long list and I am BAFFLED. Glad to know you've done this a lot and you're baffled too. 😅
It's a very strange list this year. It's not bad but it's not special. I'd love to know why the judges chose what they did (and why they didn't choose other books).
Hi Alyssa 👋. I just came across your channel! I have been interested in the booker list enjoying reviews. I found Enlightenment audiobook on my Libby library app so thought I’d try it out. I have listened to James in the early summer and really enjoyed it!
Welcome!!! Thank you for watching! How are you liking Enlightenment?
hadn't heard of this author before but will look at her wiki bio⚛
To answer your question, yes, I read and enjoyed "Possession" about six months ago, when we discussed it on one of your videos. Sounds like I might like "Enlightenment", too.
I've also read "The Essex Serpent", though I don't recollect much about the plot. What has stayed in my mind is the depiction of this little English village and its inhabitants on the coast of Essex in the year 1893, and the mood evoked by the descriptions of the sea, fog banks, mists, and large swathes of sea-marshes, with perhaps a legendary sea monster lurking within them. I don't see any scribbled comments in my copy of the book, which suggests I read it in a pleasurable, page-turning hurry. The novel has a wonderful evocation of the late Victorian era that reminds me of Sarah Waters' "Tipping the Velvet".
It reminds you of Tipping the Velvet....now I must read The Essex Serpent.
@@NerdyNurseReads Just as long as you understand that "The Essex Serpent" doesn't mean what you think it might mean after having read "Tipping the Velvet".
My favourites I have read so far on the longlist are My Friends and James. But yes I agree several other books i have read off the list are ok but not remarkable or great books not yet read Enlightenment
James was so good! But I also really loved Wandering Stars!
Possession is one of my all time favourite books, and I gave Englightenment 3.5. I enjoyed the writing style and loved the astronomy and physics, but was bored with all of the religious struggles - I dont understand why anyone struggles with "belief" in the unbelievable. That aside, i compeltely agree with your view that most of the books this year are middling at best. I have finished ten books on the list and, besides the one we know is going to be the ultimate winner, the only other book i have loved so far was Orbital.
I think the problem with the Possession comparison is that it makes people think this is going to be as good as Possession and that's just not the case. They have a similar vibe, and I think if Possession is your vibe, you might like Enlightenment. However, I think a lot of readers will find it boring. And I agree that the religious struggles are part of what will make this boring for people. I have enjoyed it bc I have my own complicated relationship with the church and faith, and I enjoy reading about people working through their own struggles. I've finally finished all the longlisted books, and I don't think Enlightenment will make the shortlist (I'll be shocked if I'm wrong about this).
Didn't Possession WIN The Booker? That seems reason enough for Enlightenment to make the list, maybe. I do think that in years where there is an outstanding book, the judges feel less pressure to choose the absolutely best books for the LL.
It did indeed win The Booker! But I don’t think this is the same caliber as Possession.
You make a good point about the judges not being pressured to pick the best of the best when there’s an outstanding book on the list.
@@NerdyNurseReads I just finished Wild Houses. I loved it but the whole time I'm wondering how it landed on this list. Then I realized, for what seems like a caper novel, there's a lot of introspection in it. It has that in common with the other books I've read/ am currently reading from the LL. Orbital, Headshot, Stone Yard Devotional.
Agree, the list is mid. Maybe the unpublished books are more than good/fine.
Ummmm they didn't do it for me (reviews pending me having the time the edit) but I'll be curious to see how they're received once they're published.
I didn’t love it or hate it. The prose was beautiful but the story was meh.
I can't see this being shortlisted but I'm glad I enjoyed it and it was on the longlist otherwise, I probably never would have read it.