Martin I just heard this list on the radio and much was made of the fact that a lot of Elmet, described as 'Rural Northern noir' was written on the author's phone while she travelled to work. I shall be interested to hear what you think of it . . .

I'm glad to see Autumn made the short list. I'm half way through it and enjoying it.

I'll try to read one or two, just because of your inspiration! So far I am working on my TBR pile, now on book #2.

Elmet by Fiona Mozley

Well, I can understand why it's been longlisted. It's a powerful book, and a good read. It's about a family in Yorkshire; a father and his daughter and son. It's written first person by the son. The father is a fighter, and the best in Yorkshire. (Elmet, btw, is an old word for West Yorkshire.) It's the story of their life, and what happens when they come up against a rather unpleasant landowner. It's based in today, more-or-less, but it seems to be harking back to a much older time.

So far, so hum. The idea doesn't appeal to me. But it dragged me in, nevertheless; it's a terrific read. It builds up to a very violent climax (and this is a very violent book - be warned.) So yes, I can see why it's been longlisted.

But shortlisted? I'm astonished, frankly. It's a pretty good, well written, rather violent story, with a rather unlikely ending. I was able to suspend my disbelief in the rather remarkably larger-than-life characters for the sake of the story - but really, it's not a very convincing story.

It's a good book. It's not a great book. As I say, I'm amazed it was shortlisted. It won't win, surely.

History of Wolves by Emily Fridlund

Not so good the second time. The first part is excellent, but the second half really drifts, to my mind - to the extent that I found it a chore to finish. I finally settled down to finish it tonight. But it's not going to win.

It's about a 13 year old girl and her relationship with a family - mother, father and 4-year-old boy. I don't want to say too much to spoil the book - but much of it made me quite angry. I understood the things the girl did - but I could not comprehend what the parents did. So...not convincing, and not attractive.

I've been so busy with other things, it's going to be touch and go to finish before October 17th. But I'm in Madrid on holiday for the next week (he casually drops into the conversation) - I'll have time on the flights, and hopefully some other spare time as well. Thank goodness for e-readers, eh!

Autumn next, I think. I'll leave Exit West to last. I don't believe it will win, from what little I read of it...

Have a good trip, Martin. I really enjoyed my trip to Spain and Portugal.

Madrid ... that sounds wonderful! Never been there.

We were there for a weekend on business. That only took an hour on Saturday morning so we were able to sightsee on a guided coach tour in the afternoon.

It was a lovely short trip but started out on the wrong foot. We arrived at the hotel at 2am Saturday and although we had booked a room through Thomas Cook, the night porter didn't have us listed and had to ring and wake up the manager before we could be taken to our room!

As we were carrying a large poster for an exhibition, which was needed in a hurry as the signwriter had made a mistake on the original one, I was very firm about not going to another hotel, as my sleepy husband suggested. Hunting around for accommodation at that time of night was definitely NOT ON!!

Lincoln in the Bardo - George Saunders

Well, this one has improved on a second reading. It's still a strange and rather silly story - Lincoln's son has died and for some reason is stuck in a limbo between death and heaven, with a lot of other people - ghosts, I suppose they are. The story is is about the ghosts efforts to release him so that he can go to heaven.

It sounds ridiculous. But it works beautifully. I prefer 4-3-2-1, but I won't be too upset if this wins. And my suspicions are that it will

PS. Writing this in the airport in Madrid. A lovely city, an excellent break. And glorious weather as well :)

Enjoy, Martin! And pass me the Sangria....

So, the Booker Prize winner is announced tomorrow.

Here's my thoughts on each one on the shortlist:-

4 3 2 1 by Paul Auster (US) (Faber & Faber)

I am currently re-reading this one, and loving it just as much again the second time. I would be very pleased if it won, and I quite fancy its chances.

History of Wolves by Emily Fridlund (US) (Weidenfeld & Nicolson)

Not so good the second time. Don't think so.

Exit West by Mohsin Hamid (Pakistan-UK) (Hamish Hamilton)

Haven't managed to get into it. My daughter is reading it, and thinks is good, but... so I don't think this will win either.

Elmet by Fiona Mozley (UK) (JM Originals)

Not surprised it was long-listed. Very surprised it was short-listed. I'd be astounded if it wins.

Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders (US) (Bloomsbury Publishing)

Very strange, but I'm beginning to think it's something exceptional. I think this one will win.

Autumn by Ali Smith (UK) (Hamish Hamilton)

I love it - I'm optimistic, and I'd be very happy if it won.

So - to summarize - I want Autumn or 4-3-2-1 to win, but I think Lincoln in the Bardo will win - and I think it would be a worthy winner. For what it's worth, the bookies make it nearly an even favourite to win.

Interestingly, I found I could get 8/1 on both Autumn and 4-3-2-1 at the bookies. They are my two favourites, so I've put a tenner on each - if either wins, I make a seventy quid profit! (And if any other book wins, I'm down twenty quid, but still...)

And the winner is...

Lincoln in the Bardo. Told you.

Very odd, really - the BBC lost their connection to the awards ceremony and returned in the middle of George Saunders' acceptance speech. It took them a whle to work out who had won.

I read Lincoln. You’re right, it was a very strange story in a very strange format, but I did enjoy it.

I gave up on reading 4 3 2 1 in the middle of the first chapter. I tried listening to it and gave up again 6-1/2 hours into it. I couldn’t keep up with the changing story line.

Donna

Looks like you've got it figured out, Martin!

Of course, if I'd been hardheaded, I'd have not only put a tenner on 4 3 2 1 and Autumn, I'd have also put twenty on Lincoln in the Bardo, and I've have been up, no matter which of those three won. (And I know enough to know it would certainly have been one of those three...) But I bet with my heart, not with my head....

You'll never get rich that way Martin ;-))