Ok, so the Giller Prize (Canada's equivalent of the Booker) will be announced at 10:00pm tonight. With five dark horses in the race, it is hard to choose a winner - will it be the novel of obsessive love that some reviewers have deemed a "female love story", or will it be the "young man's book" - a fast-paced collection of stories set in the ER? Perhaps it will be a "thriller" set in Beirut during the Civil War or will the book with hyperrealism, religious symbolism, schools and the horrid things that can happen in them and other themes so remniscent of Quebecois literature win the day and, let's not forget the book that "plays it really safe" and seems to have everything the judges are looking for...
Which of these books are likely to win? I don't usually like to bet, especially when I haven't read all the books, but from the synopses, I would put my money on Rawi Hage's "De Niro's Game", however, I won't be at all surprised if Gaetan Soucy's "Imacculate Conception" takes the prize instead.
13 comments:
Hi Lotus,
Thriller sounds like an interesting book. I'm sure it's one of those extrememly intense reads.
Hey beenzzz!
You may have picked the winner - let's wait and see! :)
I've read 3.5 of the 5 shortlisted books, and so far DeNiro's Game is my personal favourite. But it's also the one that I'm only halfway through, and The Immaculate Conception, which I've heard great things about, is the one that I haven't even started. I feel ambivalent about the other three. Each one has plenty to recommend it, but also significant enough flaws that I wouldn't be inclined to give any one of them the top honour. Eventually I'll get around to saying something more substantial about each of the books on my blog, but likely not before the winner is announced!
Lotus reads, I'm beenzzz's sister. I'm so glad to have found about you. I love reading and am currently in heaven perusing your blog.
Best wishes!
Well, it looks like you all in Canada have a much nicer election to look forward to today! Those stateside have been going through a lot of muckraking in recent months ;) Without having read any of the candidates, I think Immaculate Conception sounds most interesting. Would love to try reading it in the original French.
Hi, Kate!
I have read just one out of the five - the Vincent Lam novel - but wasn't impressed. I think lots had to do with the fact his writing is still raw and although his stories are entertaining he couldn't resist using the usual medical stereotypes. I'd be surprised if he wins, but then again, with the popularity of "Grey's Anatomy" and "House" medical stories are very popular these days, also, he is a first time author and the judges might want to honor his remarkable achievement.
I love the sound of "De Niro's Rage' and can't wait to read your review, will be checking your blog regularly over the next few days!
Hi ML!
Welcome, welcome! It's sooo good to have you here and thank you for the nice words! What are you reading presently and what are your favorite genres?
@beenzzz, thank you for recommending my blog to your sister, it's great to have her here! :)
Hi Susan! That's true, I'm just mid-interested in the midterm elections! ;)
You know Susan, I really think "The Immaculate Conception" is the better book when it comes to literary merit, but I think "De Niro's Game" is probably going to be more popular with readers because it deals with real events, also, it reads like a thriller - lots of chills, murder, deception and so on. I can't wait to find out who will take home the prize!
Lotus, I think it will be the thriller. I have not read any of them as of yet. Sometimes books are published in Canada first. I will have to check.
Love-bd
Lotus, I'm currently reading The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards.
Before that, I read the first book in the Outlander series, but really couldn't get into the story. It seemed to drag so much.
Oh, and I'm also reading The Catcher in the Rye.
I love reading most things, but I don't think historical romance type books (such as Outlander) really fits well with me.
Beloved We'll know at 10:00pm tonight - will keep you posted! And you're right, it possible that most of these books being from mid-level Canadian publishers, will take a while to reach the brick and cement bookstores, but Amazon is sure to carry them.
ml I have heard so many good things about "The Memory Keeper's Daughter", I can't wait to hear what you think of the book once you're done reading it! The Outlander is such a popular series, but, like you, I have never been able to get into the story, also, I'm a little intimidated by the size of those books! :) Again, so good to have you here!
let me know if you need any help with understanding the Odeo...
Surprisingly, I'm not familiar with the Giller Prize, but thanks to you, I will have to learn more about it. I haven't read any of the nominees, but the Desai book is on my to-read list since she will be in Houston for a reading in the spring.
I checked out your list for the Stack's Winter Challenge. I have The Penelopiad in my to-read stack and would have put it on my list if I hadn't bought Moral Disorder recently. I'll be interested in reading your thoughts on it and Beasts of No Nation. I have looked at that book many times at the bookstore and just not picked it up yet. Maybe I will do that now.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Hi Kim!
I've had the "Penelopiad" on my reading list for quite a while now, so I figured it just had to go on my challenge list, however, I have my eye on "Moral Disorder" so I will be watching your blog to see how you liked it. Good luck with the challenge and happy reading!
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