The 2024 Booker Prize shortlist has been revealed, marking the highest representation of women in its 55-year history. Out of the six nominees, five are women, and the list features authors from five different countries, including the Netherlands for the first time. Winner will be announced on November 12.
Held by Anne Michaels
Anne Michaels' novel spans four generations, weaving moments of connection and consequence through time. In 1917, on a battlefield near the River Escaut, John lies injured, paralyzed, and lost in memories—of a pub encounter, a winter night with his lover, and his distant childhood. By 1920, John, now back in North Yorkshire and reunited with Helena, an artist, resumes his photography business. Yet, the past intrudes as spectral figures appear in his photos, their messages elusive and unsettling.
Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner
In this novel that blends spy thriller with a deep exploration of human history, 34-year-old American undercover agent Sadie Smith is dispatched by her enigmatic employers to a remote French commune led by the charismatic Bruno Lacombe. Initially dismissing Bruno’s radical eco-activism and primitivist ideals, Sadie, who is known for her ruthless tactics and bold opinions, soon finds herself drawn into his world. As she navigates the commune’s ancient charm and Bruno’s compelling counter-histories, she becomes entangled in a complex game of seduction and self-discovery.
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
In this novel, six astronauts aboard the International Space Station grapple with existential questions about life beyond Earth and Earth's fate without humanity. As they orbit the planet, witnessing its stunning beauty and observing its changing landscapes, their isolation deepens their connection to their home. News of personal tragedies and natural disasters reaches them, stirring thoughts of returning and intensifying their sense of vulnerability and responsibility. Through their reflections and fears, they come to realize how profoundly they remain tied to the fragile life they left behind.
James by Percival Everett
A profound reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, this novel explores identity, belonging, and the sacrifices made for loved ones. In 1861, enslaved Jim hides on Jackson’s Island after learning he will be sold and separated from his family. Meanwhile, Huck Finn fakes his death to escape his abusive father. The two embark on a perilous raft journey down the Mississippi River, each bend offering both hope and danger. As war looms, Jim confronts the heavy burden of protecting his family while living a lie, and together they face a harrowing odyssey.
The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
In the quiet Dutch province of Overijssel, 15 years after World War II, Isabel’s orderly life is disrupted when her brother Louis arrives with his chaotic new girlfriend, Eva. Living alone in her late mother’s home, Isabel’s routine is shattered by Eva’s late hours, loud presence, and disregard for rules. As Isabel's obsession with maintaining order grows, she becomes increasingly paranoid over the mysterious disappearances around the house. In the sweltering summer heat, her quest for control morphs into a disturbing infatuation, leading to a revelation that threatens to upend her understanding of the past—and the true nature of Eva and the house itself.
Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood
Burned out and seeking solace, a middle-aged woman leaves Sydney for her childhood home, finding refuge in a small, isolated religious community in the Australian outback. Although she’s skeptical of faith and unfamiliar with prayer, she falls into a reclusive life almost by chance. Her retreat is soon disrupted by a mouse plague, the return of her long-lost sister’s skeletal remains, and a troubling visitor from her past.
Words Platform Desk
Date 17.09.2024