stargazer

Women’s Prize for Fiction 2021 Longlist and Thoughts on Book Prizes

Before I started blogging, I paid very little attention to book prizes. No, scrap that. Before I started blogging, I paid no attention to book prizes whatsoever. That includes both the jury-selected such as Booker and Women’s Prize for Fiction and the ones selected by the general public, such as Goodreads Choice Award.

Following bloggers, who write about book awards and review many of the longlisted books, has made me take more note. I don’t believe nominated books will on average be more enjoyable than other books (sometimes quite the opposite), but I do think prize lists offer the opportunity to discover new titles, I wouldn’t have heard of otherwise and which happen to be just my thing.

Love and Other Thought Experiments (longlisted for the Booker Prize 2020) was a great example. I doubt, I would have found it without the publicity around the longlisting. And it may very well turn out to be one of my favourite reads in 2021.

Also, these lists inspire me to occasionally drag myself into the present time. I tend to read older books. Not necessarily classics, but books which have been out for some years and have received lots of reviews. Tried and tested. No daring or experimentation here.

Whereas I doubt my reading pattern will change completely, I have already started to read more recent publications. And I’ve even enjoyed most of them. 😀

With these words, let’s get to the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2021 Longlist.

Women's Prize for Fiction 2021 Longlist: Books read

I’ve read two of the longlisted books, Transcendent Kingdom [5 stars] and The Vanishing Half [4 1/2 stars]. I enjoyed both of them immensely.

Transcendent Kingdom was an amazing, multi-facetted story and its themes of science vs. religion and neuroscience as a way of understanding human behaviour were completely up my street. Despite of the difficult topics, The Vanishing Half felt more commercial; very readable but perhaps with a less lasting imprint. I quite like books with a broader commercial appeal to be included on prize lists. Always nominating high-brow, literary novels, which only appeal to a narrow audience, may affect some people’s perception of literature negatively. However, I wouldn’t hope for The Vanishing Half to actually win.

Obviously, both of the above books already got their fair share of attention, so they didn’t really need a prize nomination.

Women's Prize for Fiction 2021 Longlist: Books to read

As for the rest, nothing stood out to the extent that I absolutely have to read it. But there were some interesting ones and I will probably select one or two to try out. These ones piqued my interest the most:

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
I am not a huge fantasy reader, but according to Goodreads this is an intoxicating, hypnotic new novel set in a dreamlike alternative reality. It’s also meant to be exceedingly strange. I might be completely wrong, but some elements from the blurb gave me reminiscences of Murakami. Which isn’t a bad thing at all. So yes, I’m tempted.

Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller
A pair of 51-year old twins still live with their mother. When their mother dies everything seems to come apart. According to Goodreads, this is a thrilling novel of resilience and hope, of love and survival, that explores with dazzling emotional power how the truths closest to us are often hardest to see. Sounds good to me!

Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers
The setting, a London suburb in the 50s, appeals to me. The story involves a virgin birth (real or perceived?) and a journalist who tries to unravel the mystery and gets involved with the family of the women who claims to have given birth as a virgin. Not sure what to think about this one, but it does intrigue me.

Furthermore, I can’t rule out that I’ll get to Ali Smith’s seasonal quartet at some point, but it doesn’t make sense to start with Summer, which is the last book in the quartet.

✧

That’s enough longlist talk for now. Are you paying attention to book prizes or can’t you be bothered? Are you tempted to read anything from the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2021 longlist? Or have you already read some and can give me recommendations?

51 comments

  1. Thanks for posting this and sharing the video. I normally give book prize lists a very wide berth as they’re not the sort books I’d normally buy or read. Saying that I’ve already got kindle copies of Small Pleasures and The Vanishing Half, and some of the others intrigue me after watching that brilliant video!

    • You are welcome! Yes, I used to disregard these lists as well, but have found that I do enjoy some of the books on the longlists. Also, I think Women’s Prize for Fiction does to some extent select books, which are not too heavy (or plain weird) and have a broader appeal. I think you might like The Vanishing Half. 😊

  2. I don’t usually pay attention to the lists for book prizes or the winners. The few times I have tried some of the listed books, I’ve been disappointed.

    • Yes, I have definitely had disappointments as well, which is why I am really picky and only select a few (or non at all) to read from the longlists. But I have occasionally found some genuine gems.

  3. I don’t pay that much attention to book prizes, mainly because I always wait for books to be available in paperback before buying, unless I can borrow them from the library. Claire Fuller is going to speak at a Zoom event organised by our local independent bookshop soon – must buy my ticket – so that’s one I shall read. Of the rest, Piranesi is simply not on my radar, especially if reminiscent of Murakami! But I’ll be keeping my eyes opened in the library once it’s fully re-opened.

    • Yes, I used to wait for paperbacks as well, but since I mostly read electronically these days, it doesn’t matter anymore. Ooh, the Claire Fuller event sounds interesting. Are you going to write about it on your blog? I will probably end up reading her book as well. Haha, I think Piranesi may only appeal to certain type of readers. The Murakami parallel may be completely wrong though, after all it’s limited what you get conclude from the blurb.

      • If you’re interested, I could send you details. That’s the beauty of Zoom, you don’t need to live just down the road. I’m an e-book refuser. Just don’t get on with them at all. There’s nothing like a physical book – for me.

        • That is so kind of you, Margaret, but actually I think I found it by coincidence here – who knew Claire Fuller had a blog… I used to be the same with physical books and was a very late ebook adapter. And look at me now! 😁

  4. I look at the lists for inspiration on what to read next if I’m not sure, I’ve read Luster and I am reading the vanishing half at the moment and I am enjoying the vanishing half and it’s something I wouldn’t normally pick up but I still think there are books that aren’t recognised that are just as good or better

    • Yes exactly, I use them for inspiration as well. How did you find Luster? I’ve heard very diverging views on that one. There are definitely books out there, which are better than the nominated ones, but since we all like different books, I guess it’s impossible to create a fair list. But it is still fun to follow.

      • I enjoyed Luster but I didn’t think it was as good as I was expecting from all the hype I was seeing but it was an interesting read. very true, helps me get out my comfort zone with choosing books too

        • Yeah, I doubt I’m going to read Luster, it doesn’t appeal that much. Good point about getting out of your comfort zone. I think Piranesi might be such an example, for me anyway.

  5. Thank your for the list and your posting. ‘The Transcendent Kingdom’ is still on my tbr list which is growing and growing … I have a couple of favorite authors and genres that I normally like to read first. The International Booker Prize is mostly interesting and inspiring, but I still like to read the classics also.

    • You are welcome. Yes, I am aware of the problem with the ever growing TBR. But if your reading taste is anything like mine, you won’t regret having Transcendent Kingdom on your TBR. 😊 I like the international Booker Prize as well, since it’s unlikely I’ve heard of more than a few of the titles. Last year I read The Memory Police from that list.

      • ‘The Memory Police’ sits on my bookshelf. I have begun reading, but could not finish it yet, because it felt so dark. I will have a look on your review. I am curious about the next International Booker Prize …

        • It was very dark indeed, but I didn’t mind that. I rated it 3 1/2 – 4 stars, but have found afterwards, that it made such a strong impression that I still think about it now and then. So perhaps it deserved a better rating. Yes, I am curious about the next International Booker as well, let’s hope there will be some new and exciting reads.

    • Yay! Let’s hope we both have a good judgement on this, it can be a bit tricky judging just based on the blurb.

    • I am trying to persuade everyone to read Transcendent Kingdom! And I wouldn’t mind if it wins either (that is of course a very unfair statement, since I haven’t read most of the other books, but still…).

  8. So happy to find this post. I am always tempted to read books that are longlisted/ shortlisted for prizes and have intended to read Burnt Sugar by Avni Doshi. And, taking ‘Transcendent Kingdom’ from your post to my TBR.

    • I hope you will enjoy both of them! 😀 I haven’t read Burnt Sugar, but seem to remember it was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.

  9. I did pay attention to book prizes for a year or two when I started blogging, but on the whole I found I prefer picking books at random according to the blurb. The books are basically chosen by publishers and they put forward lots of duds in the hope of getting publicity for them. I used to look at reviews a couple of years after the long-listings and it was sad to see how many of the books were getting ratings well below average or had just disappeared from public consciousness. Of course there are worthy entries, but they’re usually books that would have done well anyway. I once participated in the shortlisting process for the McIlvanney Prize – the Scottish Crime Fiction prize – where they get volunteers to read the books the publishers recommend and rate them, and it involved reading so many bad books I swore I’d never do it again…

    • It might be fun to be a fly on the wall at the publishers office. Or perhaps it would leave me disillusioned… There is also the problem (at least for Women’s Prize) that each publisher can submit max. two books (with certain exceptions), which gives a certain randomness in the selection for publishers with lots of interesting authors all publishing at the same time. And then of course you have to write about themes which are aligned with the underlying currents in society. Anyway, I just take it as a bit of fun, but think you can find gems, if you look properly. Oh, and being on a jury, having to read loads of (bad) books is my idea of a nightmare!

  10. I’m totally not caught up with book prizes at all because I mostly just read whatever gets under my hand 😀 That being said, I did hear about Piranesi and it piqued my interest as well. I wasn’t sure why, but when you mentioned Murakami vibes, I realized that that’s exactly what the synopsis reminded me of as well! So I’ll probably give it a try too

    • Yes, I prefer a more random reading approach as well, but prize lists are ok for inspiration, I think. Haha, I hope you will read Piranesi, then we can discuss it afterwards and both roll our eyes, when it turns out, it is nothing like Murakami at all! 😆

      • Oh yeah, they can definitely open you up to some new books that you never would’ve read otherwise. Hahah, I’ll definitely have to look into it now! 😀

  12. I don’t plan to read Luster…Burnt Sugar, yes, mainly because of its cover LOL And Piranesi yes, its story intrigues me. I haven’t heard of Small Pleasures until now. I might check it out! 😉 Great post once again, my friend!

    • Seriously, because of the cover??!😁 I will be curious how you get along with Burnt Sugar, I seem to remember a couple of people having to DNF it. Yay, I hope you will read Piranesi, then we can discuss it afterwards! Thanks Jee!

      • Yes, because of the cover Hahaahaha And yes, I hope I get to read Piranesi soon! but first, I must clear my ARCs :S so little time gahhhh

        • Good luck with the ARCs! I don’t do ARCs at all – more than enough books to read as it is. Perhaps, I’ll get to Piranesi next week, I have one weeks holiday in connection with Easter and still can’t go anywhere.

  13. I was so happy to see Detransition, Baby on this list. Torrey Peters put out a really beautiful statement on her instagram. It made me tear up a little bit! <3

    • Yes, it certainly seems like a strong and positive statement and – from what I understand from people who have read it – a very well deserved nomination as well!

  14. I am the exact same, only tried and tested books for me except series that I’m following😂 I occasionally venture out to experiment but it’s pretty rare. I don’t bother about book prizes at all but I do try and read ones that do win to see what makes them different. Thanks for sharing!

    • The thing is, unless you read loads of books, you want to optimise the chances of picking a good one ever time. At least that is how I think. If I had more time to read, I might possibly be a more experimental. Or maybe not. 😆 But I like to have at least a vague idea of what goes on in the literary world and the books on these lists offer an opportunity for a bit of insight.

  15. I don’t think I’m going to read any of these, sorry. Generally I just don’t read books of lists (I’m one of the readers of the more popular commercial books you mentioned) but it’s nice to put some titles and authors on my radar and at least know some literary reads. Nice post!

    • Yes, I used to feel the same way, Inge. But I’ve realised I do enjoy some these titles, so now I like to mix it up. In periods where work is stressful and my head is tired, I always return to my beloved crime fiction or something else relatively undemanding and entertaining. Back to basis you might say. 😊

      • I guess that is part of the reason that’s stopping me from reading these, they are more demanding, they ask more of you as a reader.. maybe you get more in return too though, a wonderful message, insight, a perspective you’ve never had before, maybe it sometimes is worth it to dive into when you have the energy. Hmm maybe I shouldn’t rule it out…

        • I can understand that. Sometimes, I think you do get more in return. Certain books make you think a lot, other books have a huge emotional impact and some are highly educational. After I started blogging, I find it interesting to look back at the year to see which books I still think about. Interestingly, it isn’t always those I gave the highest rating earlier on. But anyway, I don’t think you should read prize list books, unless you really have an urge to do it. Reading is meant to be fun, remember! 😉

  16. Love this post, Stargazer. I’ve been taking a look at the prize lists, more and more, especially this list. I’ve only read Burnt Sugar and The Vanishing but have plans to read most or all of them.

    • Thanks Jennifer, I will try to look out for your reviews in case you write some. At this stage, I don’t plan to read Burnt Sugar, but I guess seeing a lot of positive reviews might convince me otherwise.

  17. I used to pay much more attention to that type of prizes, I even took part of shadow panel for two years for another prize, but right now, I feel more like older titles waiting for me on my shelves, limiting the number of brand new releases

    • That makes sense. I try to find the right balance between new and older titles. However, I don’t have shelves full of unread books; I normally buy them and then I read them. Does that sound weird? 😁

  18. I find book prizes to be a good way to discover good books, but then you have to pick prizes that fit with the kinda fiction you like. Book panels can differ in taste!

    • Very true. I guess, there are specific prizes for genre fiction such as crime and sci-fi and also the “literary” prizes may differ in taste and selection criteria. From what they say themselves, Women’s Prize for Fiction should suit me well.

    • I hope Transcendent Kingdom wins as well, it really was outstanding. After having read four books from the longlist – all of them very enjoyable – Transcendent Kingdom is still my favourite. Haha, I won’t be going anywhere near Luster either, not even if it wins.

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