Thanks Martin. I heard some discussion about these on various literary radio programmes and apparently one book stood out as it contained 'humour'; something not usually associated with Booker works . . .

OK, that was probably The Sellout. It's meant to be the best satirical novel in the last howevermany years. But I've read the first seventy pages or so, and I'm about to abandon it. I can see it's meant to be funny and satirical, but it just seems all a bit silly and unrealistic to me. The opening page is excellent, however...

Several years ago, the winner of the Booker was Vernon God Little which was meant to be hysterically funny and seriously satirical. It didn't do it for me at all, but everyone else seemed to like it. So, you watch, The Sellout is going to win this year...

About to start Eileen.

Right. Eileen is an excellent read, imho. It's told by someone in the present day, but it tells the story of the same woman for five/six days in her early twenties, and the events which led up to her leaving home. It's set in 1964, (I think). The woman - well, she's twenty-four but very young and in some ways very naive - and she lives with her alcoholic father. I won't say much about what happens, but I'd strongly recommend it - with some provisos. One, the story is a bit unlikely - but still convincing; and two, there are some pretty unpleasant descriptions of some pretty unpleasant events. But still - an excellent book. Will it win? Probably not...

So six books. Three I really liked, one that I found fascinating, but untimately didn't quite like, and two I couldn't finish at first stab. Not bad. I'll try to re-read them all before October 25th, when the winner is announced.

The Sellout - brilliant satire, apparently. But it didn't interest me. I didn't finish it, but it will probably win because it's brilliant satire, apparently.

Eileen - very good, but probably not the winner.

His Bloody Project - very different, very interesting and it might win. I hope it doesn't because it's the only one I haven't managed to find as a first edition; if it wins, it's going to be even harder to find.

Do Not Say We Have Nothing - about a Chinese woman in Canada, and flashes back to the Cultural Revolution in Mao's time - it ought to interest me, but it doesn't.

All That Man Is - my personal favourite, though probably not a winner; if for no other reason, I can't really convince myself it is truly a novel.

Hot Milk - better than her previous (which was shortlisted) but still a bit too full of allusion and obscurity. The one I'd tip to win.

But I've never once got the winner right, so why should I start now?

(Actually, that's not quite true - I predicted The Sense of an Ending in 2011 but it was so utterly head-and-shoulders above the rest, I'd have been appalled if it hadn't won. Apart from that book, it was a dreadful shortlist. That was the year the judges were going for "cracking good reads" instead of good novels.

And I did badly want Bring Up the Bodies to win in 2012, and it did - but I actually wasn't expecting it to win.)

I've started My Name is Lucy Barton and am liking it quite a lot.

Unfortunately, my husband passed away Thursday evening after a brief illness. The visitation will be Monday and the funeral Tuesday morning. Reading is always my escape mechanism, so finding a good book is a good thing.

Carolyn - I'm so sorry to hear about your husband. My thoughts are with you.

Carolyn, this must be a very difficult time for you. Please accept my sympathy.

Carolyn, I'm so very sorry for your loss.

Carolyn, I'm so sorry! You are in my thoughts this week.

Donna

Carolyn, I am so sorry to read about your loss.

My husband also died after a short illness, it seemed to take a while to sink in that he had gone. Reading is such a blessing at this time, I know.

Just adding my sympathies and best wishes, Carolyn.

Thanks to all of you. The funeral was today, and annpan is right--I'm just sort of numb so far.

Didn't mean to spoil your thread, Martin. It was a bad night.

"The Sellout - brilliant satire, apparently. But it didn't interest me. I didn't finish it, but it will probably win because it's brilliant satire, apparently"

Martin, you were right! There was an interview with the author this morning on NPR and have to say I didn't hear anything that would inspire me to read the book.

Donna

Well, not quite right.

I actually said that Hot Milk was the one I'd tip to win. But I can't say I'm surprised that The Sellout won, because it's brilliant satire. Apparently.

Still, a very good shortlist, even if I don't like the winner.

And it's also worth mentioning a couple of firsts - Beatty is the first US writer to win the Booker, and The Sellout is the first paperback to win the Booker. The publishers, OneWorld, must be pinching themselves - they have published the Booker winner two years running, which isn't bad for a little independent publisher who were only formed in 1986.

I only just saw this. I want to send my sincere condolescence to Carolyn upon the lost of her husband. I am so sorry and I am sending caring thoughts your way.

Carolyn, I also just saw this and would like to add my condolences. I hope you are well and finding good books for consolation.

I can't say that too many on the list have piqued my interest, but that's probably good since I think it may take my entire life to whittle down my TBR pile (and the library book sale is coming up).

I saw the article about The Sellout in the paper and, of course, thought of this thread. I'll probably not try it since our leader on the Booker doesn't like it and I tend to wait awhile before reading new books to let the dust settle.

Thank you, woodnymph and merryworld. And, yes, books have always been my consolation.

I read The Sellout after reading about it on this thread and very much enjoyed it. So, thank you Martin. I hope some of you will give it chance.

Carolyn - So very sorry about your loss. Peace.

Thanks, Roses.

Carolyn, I've only just read this thread. I'm so sorry to hear of your loss, and hope that books can be helpful to you in this difficult time.

Thank you, Kath, and books are my escape--at the rate of one a day or maybe two days if it is a large one. Escapism is good in spite of my public library taking The Bobbsey Twins off the shelves a long time ago, saying they were "just escapism." So?

Carolyn,. I just saw this thread too. I am so sorry for your loss and I, too, hope the books are helping you through this difficult time.