Man Booker Prize 2010

Winner

Review of The Finkler Question by Howard Jacobson Literary Fiction The Finkler Question looks at what it means to be Jewish in 21st century Britain and looks at male middle age insecurities and belonging, combining wonderful writing with both gentle (and gentile!) and angry humour. Full Review

The Shortlist

Review of Parrot and Olivier in America by Peter Carey Literary Fiction Set against the 1830 July Revolution in France, a young, French aristocrat (based on the real-life Alexis de Tocqueville) is dispatched to the emerging USA together with a British servant. Carey's rich, lyrical prose explores the emergence of democracy, attitudes to art and the power of love as these two unlikely companions find their way in America with varying amounts of success. Full Review

Review of Room by Emma Donoghue Literary Fiction Narrated in the voice of five year old Jack, this is a haunting, innovative and brave story that will stay with you long after the final page. A sad situation, lightly and movingly told. Full Review

Review of In a Strange Room by Damon Galgut Literary Fiction Interesting read that challenges how you view the idea of travelling. Three journeys by a character who plays three separate roles. Skilful writing. Full Review

Review of The Long Song by Andrea Levy Literary Fiction Funny, captivating snapshot of Jamaica at the time of the Baptist Wars and as seen through the eyes of a mischievous, resilient, original woman you won't forget in a hurry. Full Review

Review of C by Tom McCarthy Literary Fiction Don't be put off by the literary labels that critics have used to describe this book. It's a totally readable and fascinating book that can be read at many levels and one that is deservedly on the Booker shortlist. Full Review

Longlisted books which didn't make the shortlist

Review of The Betrayal by Helen Dunmore Literary Fiction A novel of moving insight into a warm relationship lived against the dramatic backdrop of Leningrad in the repressive period of Stalin’s final purge. Full Review

Review of The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell Literary Fiction The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet is a compelling story of love, redemption and regret. Set in Japan at the end of the eighteenth century, yet timeless in its portrayal of human lives, it provides further proof of David Mitchell’s astonishingly versatility. Full Review

Review of February by Lisa Moore Literary Fiction A thoughtful, reflective novel about coming to terms with the past and future. Full Review

Review of Skippy Dies by Paul Murray Literary Fiction Life and death in and around an Irish private school, in this all-encompassing brick of a novel, which does resolve into an enjoyable plot. Full Review

Review of Trespass by Rose Tremain Literary Fiction A tale of siblings, territory and revenge set in the South of France, this is a dark tale and the reader is kept in suspense about the nature of the tragic events until late in the book. It's also about people's relationship to the land and outsiders trespassing on this and on each other's lives. Full Review

Review of The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas Literary Fiction Tackling a large number of issues, this is a book that will almost guarantee you will be offended at the characters' behaviour at some point. At times brutal, and often controversial, the book doles out a high level of honesty with compassion for the characters. Full Review

Review of The Stars in the Bright Sky by Alan Warner Literary Fiction Warner again re-unites the gang from his highly successful The Sopranos as they prepare to set off for a cheap, last minute holiday at Gatwick airport. He captures the world of people in transit pitch perfectly and there's plenty of laughs, not least at the hands of the wonderfully chavy, Manda. Girls behaving badly - a good holiday read. Full Review

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