My first International Booker is done! I’m honestly pleased that although I’m enjoying the buzz I haven’t bought all the longlisters. Coming to terms with the fact that my reading of library books and buying of other books rarely overlap, plus the fact that I don’t have anywhere near the same reading pace as others, has kept me from adding to a book collection that is too big already. I am however looking forward to deliveries of multiple longlisters through the library.
Synopsis
A woman lies bedridden from a high fever. Suddenly she is struck with an urge to revisit a novel from her past. Inside the book is an inscription: a get-well-soon message from Johanna, an ex-girlfriend who is now a famous television host. As she flips through the book, pages from the woman’s own past begin to come alive, scenes of events and people she cannot forget.
There are moments with Johanna, and Niki, the friend who disappeared years ago without a phone number or an address and with no online footprint. There is Alejandro, who appears like a storm in precisely the right moment. And Brigitte, whose elusive qualities mask a painful secret.
The details is a novel built around four portraits; the small details that, pieced together, comprise a life. Can a loved one really disappear? Who is the real subject of the portrait, the person being painted or the one holding the brush? Do we fully become ourselves through our connections to others? This exhilarating, provocative tale raises profound questions about the nature of relationships, and how we tell our stories. The result is an intimate and illuminating study of what it means to be human.
Thoughts
Enjoyed the writing style, loved the vibe, will not stick to my memory. The book is subtle in terms of its message, a reflection on life and relationships and this is just hard for me to engage with at the moment.
Having ranked the books based on their first lines I was curious to see if the impression remained the same after reading the excerpts on the prize website. The inspiration for this post comes from BookTuber Charlotte R Malloy.
Undiscovered – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This does not pull any punches in the opening paragraphs. It is honest and to the point about many of the things that are wrong in today’s society. I’m very intrigued!
Lost on me – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Really liking the prospect of this! It has tone, good writing, relationship focus but within a family, mental health and politics. I want to read this!
Crooked plow – ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
This feels very mysterious and ominous, I feel bad vibes oozing of the page. In comparison to the others I’ve sampled at the point I read it this appears more plot driven. Curious to see where this story goes.
The Details – ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is my current read and is a book that has a distinct tone as it reflects over life and the relationships that have come and gone. I think the excerpt hints at a book that is conversational and reflective.
Kairos – ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I find this similar to The Details in how it appears to reflect on relationships in the past. It has a tone that is its own, but it has aspects to it that I think might annoy me as the chapters go on. Placing it lower than The Details.
Not a river – ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I suspect this will discuss masculinity, fatherhood and parenthood. I’m also getting a vibe of nature as a stand-in for mothers or women. A definite improvement compared to the first sentence.
The House On Via Gemito – ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I like the reflection on a difficult relationship with a parent and how that affects you. A critical look on masculinity and violence, but at the same time the writing feels heavy to me. Like it is taking turns I’m not expecting.
The silver bone – ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Direct, intense, terrifying, and with a drive. The writing is simpler compared to many of the others, yet has a purpose. These first paragraphs hit me hard.
White nights – ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I like the writing and want to learn more about the characters.
What I’d rather not think about – ⭐⭐⭐💫
Disturbing and ominous, but I don’t vibe with the writing really. Willing to give it a go though because of its theme.
Mater 2-10 – ⭐⭐⭐
I enjoy the writing and I think it might go somewhere interesting. But I also don’t feel like I have to see how it ends.
A dictator calls – ⭐⭐💫
I’m not drawn in by the writing and not sure I will care to continue. For sure not a purchase. What does intrigue me a little is the references to Tirana, Moscow and politics.
Simpatía – ⭐⭐
This did not work for me, I’m a little surprised. I think I’m not that keen on men dealing with hatred of women, it is important that it happens, but it is not written for me. I also think there is a disadvantage for me to not understand the references, not the book’s fault, and I would absolutely need to give it more time than just a few paragraphs. What did intrigue me is the references to people leaving or staying, the conflict that inevitably holds. I’m also a cat person.
Kairos by Jenny Erpenbeck, translated by Michael Hofmann Crooked Plow by Itamar Vieira Junior, translated by Johnny Lorenz The Details by Ia Genberg, translated by Kira Josefsson Not A River by Selva Almada, translated by Annie McDermott The Silver Bone by Andrey Kurkov, translated by Boris Dralyuk
Maybe…?
A Dictator Calls by Ismai Kadare, translated by John Hodgson The House On Via Gemito by Domenico Starnone, translated by Oonagh Stransky
New to me
Lost On Me by Veronica Raimo, translated by Leah Janeczko Mater 2-10 by Hwang Sok-yong, translated by Sora Kim-Russell & Youngjae Josephine Bae What I’d Rather Not Think About by Jente Posthuma, translated by Sarah Timmer Harvey Undiscovered by Gabriela Wiener, translated by Julia Sanches White Nights by Urszula Honek, translated by Kate Webster Simpatía by Rodrigo Blanco Calderón, translated by Noel Hernández González & Daniel Hahn
Note: my memory may be off as I deal with the unacceptable omission of Ædnan. Honestly. WHAT.
There might be 3 major publishers that take up most of the longlist spots, but the International Booker would be nothing without the never-heard-of-awesome-translated-fic that shows up on announcement day.
And other stories
The past 3 years, And other stories have had 1 book on the longlist each year. Eligible books:
Veridgris by Michele Mari, translated from Italian by Brian Robert Moore.
The hunger of women by Marosia Castaldi, translated from Italian by Jamie Richards.
Star 111 by Lutz Seiler, translated from German by Tess Lewis.
You, bleeding childhood by Michele Mari, translated from Italian by Brian Robert Moore.
Shalash, the Iraqi by Salash, translated from Arabic by Luke Leafgren.
Out of these I would pick Shalash, the Iraqi as my longlister. Its origin as scattered blog posts, the importance of storytelling in times of war, would make it an important and unfortunately relevant longlister.
Charco press
Since 2018 Charco Press has had 1 book on the longlist every other year. If the pattern continues then there will be 1 Charco press on this year’s longlist.
Fresh dirt from the grave by Giovanna Rivero, translated by Juana Adcock.
A little luck by Claudia Piñeiro, translated by Frances Riddle.
Confession by Martín Kohan, translated by Daniel Hahn.
The delivery by Margarita García Robayo, translated by Megan McDowell.
Not a river by Selva Almada, translated by Annie McDermott.
The dark side of skin by Jeferson Tenório, translated by Bruna Dantas Lobato.
I love the darker vibes of Fresh dirt from the grave so this would be my pick for the longlist.
Honford star
The past 2 years Honford star has had 1 book on the longlist.
Your Utopia by Bora Chung, translated from Korean by Anton Hur.
Cannibals by Shinya Tanaka, translated from Japanese by Kalau Almony.
Finger bone by Hiroki Takahashi, translated from Japanese by Takami Nieda.
Launch something by Bae Myung-hoon, translated from Korean by Stella Kim.
I loved Cursed Bunny and it is a big part in how I got attached to International Booker, in fact that entire year the longlist was fantastic. So of course I want to see Bora Chung make it onto the longlist!
Lolli editions
Lolli editions missed out on last year’s longlist but had 1 book in 2022 and 2021.
Tityrus by Duncan Wiese, translated from Danish by Max Minden Ribeiro and Sam Riviere.
Eunuch by Kristina Carlson, translated from Finnish by Mikko Alapuro.
My work by Olga Ravn, translated from Danish by Sophia Hersi Smith and Jennifer Russell.
Sublunar by Harald Voetmann, translated from Danish by Johanne Sorgenfri Ottosen.
I’m going with the popular pick that everyone else is making – My work by Olga Ravn!
Picador Pan Macmillan
Has the same track record as Lolli editions. Their website is an equal to Penguin’s so I can’t be bothered to dig through for potentially eligible books.
Pushkin press
Looking at the past 4 years, the average for Pushkin press is 1 book per year. They had zero books in 2022 but made up for it with 2 books in 2021.
Harlequin Butterfly by Toh EnJoe, translated by David Boyd.
19 claws and black bird by Agustina Bazterrica, translated by Sarah Moses.
Glorious people by Sasha Salzmann, translated by Imogen Taylor.
Ædnan by Linnea Axelsson, translated by Saskia Vogel.
The wizard of the Kremlin by Giuliano da Empoli, translated by Willard Wood.
I probably will not surprise anyone by saying I want Ædnan and 19 claws and black bird to make it to the longlist. Leaving out Ædnan will be a devastating blow to my trust in International Booker. This is the one prediction I had to not think about as soon as I saw that it was eligible.
Tilted Axis press
Came out of nowhere with 3 longlisted books in 2022 and surprised many by having zero longlisters in 2023. Is it time for another appearance?
The end of August by Yu Miri, translated from Japanese by Morgan Giles
A book, untitled by Shushan Avagyan, translated from Armenian by Deanna Cachoian-Schanz
DD’s umbrella by Hwang Jungeun, translated from Korean by E. Yaewon
To hell with poets by Baqytgul Sarmekova, translated from Kazakh by Mirgul Kali
I have to go with one of the few eligible books I own – The end of August.
World editions
Increased their appearance by having 1 longlisted book in 2023 and 2021.
Fowl eulogies by Lucie Rico, translated from French by Daria Chernysheva
The drinker of horizons by Mia Couto, translated from Portugese by David Brookshaw
Selamlik by Khaled Alesmael, translated from Arabic by Leri Price
I’m picking The drinker of horizons, even though it appears to be part of a series.
🏆Literary Fifteen 2023 – winner of Warwick Women in translation prize
Synopsis
This translated graphic novel follows three people who live in a world where wishes are for sale. Wishes are of course heavily regulated and the more expensive ones are more powerful and accurate.
As it happens, there are three first class wishes being sold at a kiosk in Cairo. When Aziza loses her husband and buys herself a wish the full force of bureaucracy comes after her. Nour is a student from a wealthy background who secretly struggles with depression and contemplates how and if a wish could be the solution. For Shokry it is a question of religious convictions when he tries to figure out how to help a friend who doesn’t want to use their wish.
Thoughts
This was such a treat! As a non-Arabic reader it was a gift to experience reading the book in a different order than I’m used to. It really shows that whatever way you are used to reading, there are other ways. A beautiful connection between graphic novel, translation and formatting.
All characters had something important to say and show the reader. The story itself made me reflect on privilege, capitalism, international politics, and colonialism.
If you are looking for a graphic novel that tackles difficult topics this one comes highly recommended.
I picked up this book because it sounded like it would criticise a certain type of influencers (yep, it did) as well as do a deep-dive on toxic relationships (absolutely) and it was nominated for Jhalak Prize which is included in my reading challenge Literary Fifteen for 2023.
Synopsis
In I’m A Fan, a single speaker uses the story of their experience in a seemingly unequal, unfaithful relationship as a prism through which to examine the complicated hold we each have on one another. With a clear and unforgiving eye, the narrator unpicks the behaviour of all involved, herself included, and makes startling connections between the power struggles at the heart of human relationships and those of the wider world, in turn offering a devastating critique of access, social media, patriarchal hetero-normative relationships, and our cultural obsession with status and how that status is conveyed.
Thoughts
Reading this was like being captured inside the head of someone in a destructive point in life, while trying in different ways to break out. It is painful and heart-breaking. Untangling yourself from a harmful situation takes a lot of time and realisation.
I typically cannot read stories about cheating. I think the tone is always off, revelling in the pain inflicted on someone else, making it a spice in the relationship, but this story nailed it for me. There is a dynamic to cheating that I enjoyed seeing explored in this story.
If you are in spaces that address sexism, racism and capitalism while discussing mental health and the harmful mechanisms of relationships and influencers you are not going to find the connections “startling”. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t satisfying when the unnamed mc expanded their view and shared their thoughts. I definitely had a few realisations, particularly around toxic relationships, while reading this. One of the most memorable is that some people will “warn you” of them and then use that as an excuse (I told you I wasn’t ready for a relationship, I’m a bad boyfriend, etc.), the warning is a red flag but it is overpowered by counter messages (still engaging with the other person, doing sweet things) and powered by society’s gender roles (I will be the one to change him). If you actually cared about others, the warning would also be supported by aligning behaviour that didn’t engage with them. A “disclaimer” does not take away responsibility for crap behaviour.
I also thought about the concept of “unhinged women” and how we talk about these type of stories. For many someone’s “unhinged” is an accurate portrayal of what they are experiencing or have experienced. On one hand – it is positive that these stories get more space, few things are as soothing as realising you are not alone. At the same time I feel some of the discourse around “unhinged women” stories is harmful, when there is judgment around the issue or the severity of it. I’m both liking the term (a rebellion against the narrow confines of how you are allowed to be) and disliking the term (the judgment).
This was an audiobook for me and it is another one I can highly recommend the experience and narration of.
This is my fifth read from the Aspen Words longlist and unfortunately it is an early DNF on page 13.
Synopsis
The Ramirez women of Staten Island orbit around absence. When thirteen‑year‑old middle child Ruthy disappeared after track practice without a trace, it left the family scarred and scrambling. One night, twelve years later, oldest sister Jessica spots a woman on her TV screen in Catfight, a raunchy reality show. She rushes to tell her younger sister, Nina: This woman’s hair is dyed red, and she calls herself Ruby, but the beauty mark under her left eye is instantly recognizable. Could it be Ruthy, after all this time?
The years since Ruthy’s disappearance haven’t been easy on the Ramirez family. It’s 2008, and their mother, Dolores, still struggles with the loss, Jessica juggles a newborn baby with her hospital job, and Nina, after four successful years at college, has returned home to medical school rejections and is forced to work in the mall folding tiny bedazzled thongs at the lingerie store.
After seeing maybe‑Ruthy on their screen, Jessica and Nina hatch a plan to drive to where the show is filmed in search of their long‑lost sister. When Dolores catches wind of their scheme, she insists on joining, along with her pot-stirring holy roller best friend, Irene. What follows is a family road trip and reckoning that will force the Ramirez women to finally face the past and look toward a future—with or without Ruthy in it.
Thoughts
I liked the premise and looked forward to reflecting on loss, grief and its impact on people. But 13 pages in I had marked out 7 negative comments about bodies and women especially were judged on their looks. Which is a shame because it started with a quote listing a fat man as handsome, giving me hope that the book would be an exception to how fatness is usually written about. It is possible that the main character will reflect on this on the road trip, and change their ways, but realistically this level of behaviour is not something that just disappears after one conversation. The judging of bodies felt overpowering to the synopsis and that level of negativity on bodies is not a space I want to be in unless I know the author will address it in a thoughtful way.
Quotes
“If you drew a map of our family history, you might start it off with my dad, young, fat, and handsome, eighteen-year-old Eddie Ramirez, plotting to get with my moms, who was dark-skinned, small and freckled, long black curly hair.”
“Draw my mother sixty-two pounds later. Give her diabetes.”
“So my mother stood still. For many years. By herself. So that she blew up like a balloon, eleven different sizes.”
“Jessica’s cheeks had grown chipmunkish. Her arms and shoulders had rounded so that she looked like a football player and dark wrinkles had formed around her neck like a noose. Still, she was prettier than me.”
“Mom had changed, too. She’d lost weight since I last saw her, sophomore year, and the flesh on her arms had deflated.”
“Here in the terminal, I felt too aware of the body I had forgotten about while studying late at night. My arms and thighs had grown awkwardly over the last few years from being hunched in front of a computer. And when Jess came in for a hug, I wondered if she could feel the soft slope I’d developed between my shoulders from bending over textbooks at all hours.”
“And she was a vain woman – the type of woman, you could tell who’d looked down at those less attractive than she was her whole life. … The one thing that comforted me was that she was a smoker. And I could smell it, the burnt enamel of her teeth. When she spoke, she wheezed a little bit. And even when she stopped speaking, her breath would creak like a piece of air blowing through an open window. Whenever I felt anxious, I looked at the thin noisy crack between her teeth.”
“I could tell she was a mom by the way she gave zero fucks about her body while taking off her clothes. There were stretchmarks along the sides of her breasts that extended from her nipples like stars. And the skin around her stomach was puckered where somebody had cut her open to take something out.”
This book follows Bodie Kane, a professor and podcaster, as she returns as a teacher to the New Hampshire boarding school where her roommate Thalia Keith was murdered. The school’s athletics trainer Omar Evans was convicted of the murder, but it remains subject to theories online. As Bodie returns so does her memories and Bodie starts to wonder about her own impact on the murder investigation.
I have some questions for you is my second read from the Aspen Words longlist and part of my Literary Fifteen reading challenge.
I started this one as a book but the way it was written and its reference to true crime podcasts made me want to try the audiobook and that was absolutely the right choice for me. It definitely felt like I was listening to a true crime podcast. With its school setting and a possibly innocent man in jail the connection to season 1 of the podcast Serial wasn’t hard to make.
The book picks up themes such as men’s violence against women, the ethics of the true crime genre, and metoo. However, I felt that these themes weren’t explored enough, it stopped at the first level of reflection and didn’t dig deeper. I want the books on Aspen Words to push me further in my thinking and because of that this is not a shortlister for me.
That said, anyone wanting a book with a true crime podcast vibe should check this one out. I found the plot around murder mostly well done. There is one instance where Bodie has the key to solve a question haunting the online detectives because she taught Thalia to do this that requires suspense of your belief (it still annoys me).
Brilliantly narrated by Shayna Small, Aaron Goodson, Michael Crouch, and Lee Osorio
🏆 LiteraryFifteen 2024 – Aspen Words 🏆
Did I get carried away and start reading for my reading challenge 2024 Literary Fifteen? Absolutely!
Aspen Words typically have those thought provoking opinionated reads that push your understanding, which is why I enjoy its longlist so much.
Chain-gang All-stars is set within the US privatised prison system and follows prisoners who fight in televised matches to the death in the hopes to gain freedom. I have been interested in Chain-gang All-stars for some time but admit that recent reviews discouraged me. I’m glad that Aspen Words brought me back to the book because my brain was bouncing back and forth while reading this. The book is definitely dark, it hurt reading this book – it is blatantly clear that this could happen, will happen, if we allow dehumanisation of each other. As such it is likely to be one of the most important books on 2024 Aspen Words and I expect it to make it to the shortlist and see it as a strong contender to win.
I read it as an audiobook which made the story and the characters come brilliantly alive. The voices in the audiobook are exquisite. The story was so vivid, infuriating and heart-breaking.
I was thinking about the different contexts that exist and who sets the rules. Who is excluded, included, allowed to be human? The connections between school, prison, work, criminal law, entertainment and sports, societal safety nets or lack thereof, racism, colonialism, slavery, health care, bias, sexism, bigotry and bright brilliant love that exists in spite of everything.
Through the book’s pain and darkness I’m strengthened in my belief that we must fight harder to stand up for each other and show more compassion, have hope and faith in each other.
Emilie's Bookish Thoughts 