GoldsmithsPrize

Murmur | Will Eaves

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Will Eaves imagines the inner life of Alan Turing following his arrest for gross indecency and enforced hormone therapy. This incredibly dense short novel is tender, humane, heartbreaking and fiercely intelligent. Its three sections describe the journal entries, dreams and correspondence of Alec Pryor (Alan Turing analogue). ⬇️ #GoldsmithsPrize

Moray_Reads As the drugs destabilise his mind and transform his body "Pryor's" theories of intelligence combine with his history to create vivid visions, sometimes bizarre, sometimes terrifying but always moving. Though each scene is full of emotion Pryor's narration is often heart-breakingly calm and matter-of-fact. The ideas are fittingly complex and I feel like it after discovering more of Turing's theories a second reading will be even more rewarding 6y

charl08 Sounds excellent. Going to look for it. 6y

Moray_Reads @charl08 challenging but worth it 6y

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vivastory An informative, thoughtful review! I've been meaning to learn more about Turing since watching the overly ambitious Imitation Game last month. 6y

Moray_Reads @vivastory the film didn't quite work for me either. It might be worth reading a biography first, that gives the basics of his theories, Eaves has put so much into this short novel that I KNOW I missed some of the subtleties because I didn't read up first. This one had been recommended as good for covering both life and work well (ignore the film cover) - and I already have it! I should have ready it first 🙄

Alan Turing: The Enigma: The Book That Inspired the Film "The Imitation Game"

vivastory Thanks for the recommendation! I'm adding that to my list. It'll be interesting to read the two back to back. 6y

andrew61 It's only when i added it on GR that i realised that he had written a short story in 2017 national short story award which i listened to at time and it was incredibly moving - i think it may still be available as it then expanded into the novel. 6y

Moray_Reads @andrew61 I think this is it! I think I remember reading that the first chapter or so was published as a short story 6y

andrew61 @Moray_Reads https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0952zlk 6y

andrew61 I hope this link is right 6y

RohitSawant Such an excellent review! 6y

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Moray_Reads

Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk

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It takes real talent to write a thoughtful, engrossing novel that is a series of conversations. Our narrator is a conduit, relating the stories others tell of themselves. These stories within stories offer fascinating perspectives on the relationship between narrative & life & how they shape the lives of men & women. The feminist line is subtle but strong & beautifully reflects the complexities of different experiences & attitudes #goldsmithsprize

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Moray_Reads

Murmur | Will Eaves

Moray_Reads #goldsmithsprize 6y

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Moray_Reads

The Long Take: A noir narrative | Robin Robertson

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I should have known that the one book on the Booker shortlist (so far) that had truly moved me is also nominated for the Goldsmiths prize. Robertson's quietly, inescapably devastating poem needles the consequences of WW2, seen the through the eyes of Walker, a Canadian D-Day veteran equally haunted by visions of war and home. His experience in New York, San Francisco and Chicago reveal a world with no place for those who fought ⬇️ #goldsmithsprize

Moray_Reads Post-War America is re-evaluating it's social fringes, pushing more people into them and ruthlessly expunging the politically and socially unacceptable. It's a bleak, gritty story full of the grim glitter of the noir films it mentions. The atmosphere grows increasingly oppressive, brilliantly shot with lyrical passages on Walker's rural home. It paints a bleak picture, unsettling in its familiarity, the laying of roots we sadly see flowering today 6y

Cathythoughts Great review.. on my TBR & now I want to read it more than ever 👍🏻❤️ 6y

Moray_Reads @Cathythoughts it's astonishingly good, even more impressive considering that it's better rather than straight prose 6y

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saresmoore Wow, brilliant review. 6y

TrishB Makes me want to read it 👍🏻 6y

JaclynW Nice review! I am curious. 6y

batsy Oh, you do make it sound so good. 💜 What @Cathythoughts said! Hope I can get to it sooner rather than later 6y

Simona Good book with a very complementary review! 6y

BarbaraBB Beautiful review. My favorite this year. 6y

Moray_Reads @BarbaraBB @simona @batsy @saresmoore @jaclynw @TrishB I think it's fantastic. It's beautifully written, form-defying, ambitious and meaningful. And it also reminds me that the Goldsmiths shortlist is out and I find it far more challenging and reliable than the Booker 6y

BarbaraBB I have to check out that list, I don‘t know it! 6y

Moray_Reads @BarbaraBB it focuses on experimental writing so there's lots of originality form-wise. I love it 6y

andrew61 It is a brilliant book. This form is one i really enjoyed, i will have a look at goldsmiths prize now. 6y

Moray_Reads @andrew61 if you like this sort of experimentation Goldsmiths is for you. Lincoln in the Bardo won last year and Solar Bones the years before, both of which I loved 6y

andrew61 @Moray_Reads i also loved solar bones but have yet to try Lincoln.... But will do soon- Have you tried it is the only other poem novel ive read (save Eugene onegin this year)

The Broken Word: An Epic Poem of the British Empire in Kenya, and the Mau Mau Uprising Against It

Moray_Reads @andrew61 I haven't but I'll be adding it to my list! I love Onegin and Paradise Lost is a personal favourite 6y

Moray_Reads @andrew61 also

Autobiography of Red

andrew61 @Moray_Reads Thanks i will try and find it ☺ 6y

JaclynW @Moray_Reads I've never heard of that list either. I will check it out. Thanks! 6y

batsy The Goldsmiths list always looks hella exciting compared to the Booker. Just saw that this year it includes a book that didn't make the Booker shortlist (Guy Gunaratne). I'm looking forward to that one too, it's got some lovely reviews. 6y

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Kazen

Like a Mule Bringing Ice Cream to the Sun | Sarah Ladipo Manyika

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When I grow old I would love to be like the main character Morayo - living on her own but not lonely, with a history but not tied too tightly to her past. She always does something daring around her birthday (this year it's getting a tattoo) but a fall and entering assisted living changes things.

It's rare to find a book that combines issues like aging, friendship, and race this well - a (mini) Tales of the City for our times. #goldsmithsprize

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Kazen

Martin John | Anakana Schofield

This is totally the wrong book to read on public transit... 😨😱😖

#goldsmithsprize

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Moray_Reads

Outline: A Novel | Rachel Cusk

Another day another #library book. Where would we be without them. I'm looking forward to this one, I'm always keen to read Goldsmiths and #Bailey's nominees #Goldsmithsprize #BaileysWomensPrize

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TNbooklover66

Like a Mule Bringing Ice Cream to the Sun | Sarah Ladipo Manyika

It's #nationalcoffeeday and everyday is a reading day. My current in process books. Just downloaded Like a Mule Bringing Ice Cream to the Sun on my kindle. What a great title. #goldsmithsprize #readharder

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Kazen

Like a Mule Bringing Ice Cream to the Sun | Sarah Ladipo Manyika

I'm so excited about the #goldsmithsprize #shortlist , rewarding fiction that "breaks the mold". They all look so good! One in hand, two on hold (↑), one requested, two not out in the US yet (drat). Full shortlist: http://www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-prize/

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