I've been following the Booker Prize even more closely than usual this year reading all 13 novels on the longlist. Despite issues creeping up regarding the prize (see my rant video) I still appreciate how this book award highlights some of the best novels of the year. Some of my personal favourites include “Klara and the Sun”, “Bewilderment”, “Great Circle” and “China Room”. This year's finale was held in person but it was a much smaller affair than usual and broadcast online so if you want to watch the entire award ceremony with me in my library I filmed a reaction video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9r4WhDfayg Towards the end of the video I also asked Galgut some questions immediately after his win.
From the moment I finished reading “The Promise” by Damon Galgut I knew this is a very special novel. I filmed a video trying to articulate my feelings and reaction to it, but there is so much to say about this book that I feel there will continue to be debate and discussion surrounding it for many years to come. There's a haunting quality to it which has stuck with me long after having read the book. The characters that loom large in my memory aren't so much the main protagonists of the family we follow, but the voices which are absent. It's extraordinary how Salome who is denied receiving ownership of the home which is promised to her year after year continues to be such a strong presence though we only see her in the background of each section.
Equally, the youngest child of the family Amor who is a kind of moral compass of the story takes such a strong role in the novel. As the years go by she has a better understanding of how both her family and the country are poisoned by racism and this is something she is unable to change. As a consequence she retreats from both while also retreating from the narrative itself. We get few details of her life and though I wanted to know more about Salome and Amor's stories I understood why we're denied them. The reader is trapped in the racist mentality of this family which is slowly dying off as we follow funeral after funeral. We can't escape this point of view anymore than the family members themselves and I think Galgut is saying how these pernicious attitudes can't simply be shaken off no matter how much politics and society progress. It's a bold statement and an emotionally impactful way of conveying this message using an entirely unique style of narrative.
So I'm very happy with the result of this year's prize though my favourite novel from the group “Bewilderment” didn't win. But, for me, this book award isn't about winners or losers. It's about encouraging discussion, closer reading and taking another look at books we might initially dismiss. The award has definitely done that this year and I'm grateful for everyone who has engaged in discussions with me about the books. What do you think about the winner? Have you read it or are you eager to read it now? Did you have a favourite you were hoping would win? Let's keep the conversation going.
