Sample Saturday is when I wade through the eleventy billion samples I have downloaded on my Kindle. I’m slowly chipping away and deciding whether it’s buy or bye. This week, all three come from Susan’s Booker Prize wish list (for the record, Susan picked two of the nominees!).
James by Percival Everett
Summary: The Mississippi, 1861. When enslaved Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a new owner and separated from his family, he decides to hide until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked his own death to escape his violent father. Thus begins a dangerous journey by raft along the Mississippi River, toward the elusive promise of free states.
I’m thinking: No.
The Amendments by Niamh Mulvey
Summary: Nell and her partner Adrienne are about to have a baby. For Adrienne, it’s the start of a new life. For Nell, it’s the reason the two of them are sitting in a therapist’s office. Because she can’t go into this without dealing with the fact that she has been a mother before.
I’m thinking: Yes.
True Love by Paddy Crewe
Summary: Keely feels alone in the world — grief consumes her, and she wants to escape it. Finn has been devastated too. As a young boy, growing up with his grandparents, he feels his fate has already been sealed by the neglect of those meant to care for him most. As we watch them each grow, connection seems to be the answer but is it that simple?
I’m thinking: Maybe.
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FWIW I read a review of James somewhere but it didn’t convince me to chase it up.
A few friends have read it and loved it but I just don’t feel very enthused.
What made you decide against the Everett? The style, or the content? As it’s being so widely predicted as the winner, I put myself in the library holds queue, but I can’t say I’m enthusiastic.
I didn’t care for Mulvey’s short stories, but I’ll be interested to see how you get on with her novel.
I loved Tom Crewe’s novel but haven’t tried his brother’s writing yet. I haven’t been drawn to either one of his novels.
Re the Everett, it was both style and content. And I’m not usually a fan of re-imaginings. Agree that it is the front-runner. I gave up trying to read all the prize winners a long time ago, so will most likely never get to this one.
I am intrigued by the Mulvey from a therapeutic point of view! Attachment theory is embedded in my work, so I’m always interested in the impact of how we were parented, on adult relationships (and also how we deal with loss).
I read two other Everett novels before James and really enjoyed all of them. I can’t help but admire his perseverance in pursuing his craft, and James, while fan fiction, was clearly a project he had long wished to pursue. It was well done, but I get that it won’t be for everyone.
I’ve actually had another one of his books in my TBR stack for ages (Erasure)… not sure the delay in reading it. I think I’ve started it once or twice but haven’t got stuck in, so I’m guessing there’s a style thing going on for me and Everett! One of my close reading buddies (and our taste usually aligns) loved James, but not sure I can be convinced 🙂
Thanks for the shoutout, Kate. Can’t quite believe two of my wishes for this year have come true. I’m a longtime fan of Everett’s, going back over two decades, largely because of the way he mocks racism with satire which is a longwinded way of saying I hope you’ll give him a try.
I was very impressed that you picked two! It’s such a huge pool and I think whenever I have read predictions, everyone’s list is different.