It's that time of year

So cold today. I don't know who is getting the warm weather, but it is certainly not us. 

Anyway next week I am off 'down south', not in search of the sun particularly, but it would be nice to find some 



Women's Prize for Fiction 2019
(Ignore if you are not interested. I am posting this as a record)
When the shortlist was announced last month, I was pleased that the two books I could not get on with did not make it. Therefore, for the first time in a while, I have read all the shortlist and some of them I have read twice. Here are my thoughts. I will be with my daughters at the Readings Evening in London on Monday and the winner will be announced on Wednesday.

In order, in my opinion, as to whether they should claim the prize:

Milkman by Anna Burns - by far and away the most worthy book here. I loved it on first reading, have now read it again and still love it. It is not easy reading, but neither is it difficult, it just requires the reader to get into the way of it. It is innovative, funny and extremely perceptive about the 'troubles' in Northern Ireland, as well as feminist issues. It won the Booker last year and should win this prize too. 

Circe by Madeline Miller - all Greek myths in one. It tells the story of Circe who was banished to an island and became a witch. I think it is a bit too long, especially the first section which is full of references to Greek myths. But when she gets to the island, it picks up. What a character! And how she puts down all the so called heroes. I loved it.

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones - this has grown on me. I read it and enjoyed it, but it didn't really make an impression., Then I started thinking about it and, when my daughter read it and absolutely loved it, I gave it another go. I now see far more in it than I did. It deals with racism in America in a subtle, but devastating, way and it has a lot to say about marriage. Far more to it than meets the eye. 

Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker - an important book by a well-established and renowned author. It aims to tell the story of the Iliad from a female point of view - Trojan Wars and all that. It is a good, if rather heavy, read, well researched and written, as one might expect from such a writer. I just don't think it does what it sets out to do - the 'heroes' still come out as the most important people. (cf, Circe above)

Ordinary People by Diana Evans - I found this well written, but a bit tedious.The story of two couples going through rocky times. Interestingly my daughter loved this - I think it might be an age thing, but also she really liked the references to London. 

My Sister, the Serialk Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite - a good read, funny in a strange way. But what it is doing on this shortlist I do not know. 

So, would I recommend any of them? - Milkman is really worth the effort, American Marriage is a good, interesting read, some people like Ordinary People and some don't. I loved Circe, but it takes some reading.