The 2012 Orange Prize Longlist: A U.S. Reader's Guide
The wait is over, friends, and the Orange Prize longlist is here! How well did my predictions hold up? I correctly guessed six of the twenty novels and had another four on my longer list of 59 novels. Many of the ones I wasn't familiar sound absolutely fabulous. This list spans the globe, and I'm looking forward to diving into my longlist reading!
The ones I've already read:
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- Gillespie and I by Jane Harris (Kindle version) 4.5 out of 5
- The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (Kindle version) 3.5 out of 5
- State of Wonder by Ann Patchett (Kindle version) 6 out of 5--my favorite read of 2011
- The Submission by Amy Waldman (Kindle version) 3 out of 5
The ones available in the U.S. now:
- Island of Wings by Karin Altenberg (Kindle version)
- The Grief of Others by Leah Hager Cohen (Kindle version)
- The Sealed Letter by Emma Donoghue (Kindle version)
- Half-Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan (Kindle version)
- The Forgotten Waltz by Anne Enright (Kindle version)
- Lord of Misrule by Jaimy Gordon (Kindle version)
- The Translation of Bones by Francesca Kay (Kindle version)
- The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (Kindle version)
- Foreign Bodies by Cynthia Ozick (Kindle version)
- There but for the by Ali Smith (Kindle version)
- The Pink Hotel by Anna Stothard (Kindle version)
- Tides of War by Stella Tillyard (Kindle version)
The one coming soon to the U.S.:
- Painter of Silence by Georgina Harding (September 12, 2012)
The ones we hope find their way to the U.S.:
- On the Floor by Aifric Campbell
- The Flying Man by Roopa Farooki
- The Blue Book by A.L. Kennedy
Biggest joy: Ann Patchett's much deserved nomination for State of Wonder, my favorite read of 2011. It also means my three favorite novels have all been longlisted for the Orange Prize--the streak is still alive! Also, will Ann Patchett be the first woman to win the Orange Prize twice?
Debut novels count: only 5 this year
Want to know more? The official Orange Prize announcement is here.
Now tell me: which book should I read first? Which book are you most excited to see included?
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As usual, there are many long list selections that I never heard of - which is a GOOD thing! Looking forward to learning more about each book.
ReplyDeleteWere you surprised by The Night Circus?
I'll say I'm disappointed more than surprised about the inclusion of The Night Circus. I didn't care for it, but so many have. I will be surprised if it makes the shortlist, however.
DeleteThanks for sharing the longlist with us! Now I can place a few books on hold.
ReplyDeleteYes--it's always a mad dash to the library queue for me!
DeleteI've only read one -- The Night Circus. I'm curious about The Submission and State of Wonder though. Thanks for sharing the list.
ReplyDeleteJenners--I highly recommend State of Wonder. I'd be curious what you think of The Submission too. The writing was too flowerly for me, but there are some good things there!
DeleteThree cheers for The Night Circus!!
ReplyDeleteI want to read The Song of Achilles...I've seen good things about it, plus I think the cover is adorable.
I'm eager to read Song of Achilles too. It's near the top of my pile!
DeleteI know you didn't like it as much as I did, but I'm excited to see The Submission on there!! (BTW, I'm going tomorrow to see the actual 9/11 memorial, yay!) State of Wonder is one I need to read... you and a couple others I follow gave it such great reviews!!! And The Grief of Others is one I've really been wanting to read so I may need to consider that.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the memorial:-). You must read State of Wonder! I'm eager to read The Grief of Others too after so many positive reviews.
DeleteI was excited to see so many new-to-me titles too. Sorry to see that a few aren't available over there yet. I'll keep my fingers crossed that they get picked up by a US publisher soon.
ReplyDeleteJackie--thankfully those that aren't here yet were easy to order from the UK, so they're still on their way to me! Many of the new-to-me titles look fantastic. I can't wait to start reading!
DeleteI've read (3)...Night Circus, Grief of Others and State of Wonder, but I own a few more. I need to check out some of the others I have never heard of.
ReplyDeleteDiane--I must say for the first time, all of them look really good to me. I'm excited!
DeleteWill you try reading all of the books? Or at least the ones available in the US? At first I thought I wasn't all that excited about this year's list, but the more I look for information on the titles, the more I want to read them all.
ReplyDeleteYes! I've already ordered the four not available here from the UK. Given the relatively short lengths this year, I hope to have most of them done before the shortlist is announced. Regardless, I plan to read them all before the winner is announced. Only one title doesn't really appeal to me, and that's pretty good!
DeleteCarrie,
ReplyDeleteI really don't know how you do it! It's really amazing that you read it all before the winner is announced. I admit I'm disappointed to see The Night Circus on this list as well and will BE REALLY surprised if it makes the shortlist. I'm still really pumped about Gillespie and I! Looking forward to your reviews to come. Good luck!
I can't wait to hear your thoughts on Gillespie!
DeleteNice job, Carrie!! I'm so thrilled to see so many favorites of mine on the list -- I've actually read more than one on this list, too, which is a first for me!
ReplyDeleteHooray! I think it's a list you'd love--so much historical fiction!
DeleteI have read a couple of these, but would like to read more of them. I currently have my eye on Gillespie and I, and want to get to that one soon, but a lot of the others look amazing as well. Thanks for sharing all these with us!
ReplyDeleteI think the list looks exciting too. I'd love to hear your thoughts on Gillespie once you read it!
DeleteThanks for posting - great reads here!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sheila! I have fun collecting all the information in one palce!
DeleteThanks for posting this! I've already got a few on hold at my library.
ReplyDeleteHappy to help, Gavin! I'll look forward to your thoughts once you read them!
DeleteYou've got a decent head-start: that's lucky! I've only read one of these, so I've got my reading work cut out for me. I'm fairly sure that I won't have time to re-read Edugyan's novel, alongside all the others, but it's definitely worth re-reading.
ReplyDeleteI'm positive that I won't have them all read by the time the shortlist is announced, but that's okay with me, because it's the longlist that I'm most interested in anyhow; I'm encouraged by your rating of State of Wonder, as it's the first one I'll be reaching for. I don't think you said which you'll be reading first?
I also care more about the longlist. I *try* to read them all. I was surprised how short many of them are this year. Normally I wouldn't dream of reading them all before the shortlist! Also, I have a week off for spring break soon, so that will be LOTS of reading time. I was going to read Achilles first, but after reading up on the finalists I was less familiar with, I'm opting for The Pink Hotel. Happy reading!
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