We've talked about The Lost Man Booker Prize and the books which were shortlisted for it, well now the winner has been announced and it is J.G. Farrell's Troubles.
Rural Ireland, 1919, and Major Brendan Archer settles into the faded grandeur of the Majestic Hotel to meet again the fiancée he acquired "on a rash afternoon's leave" three years before. The young woman is, however, elusive and the engagement destined not to endure, but the Major cannot seem to leave the crumbling place, and despite its discomforts he passes the summer "surrounded by gently decaying old ladies and proliferating cats". Beyond the shabby splendour of the Palm Court, trouble is brewing as the struggle for Irish independence takes on new force ...
Rachel Cooke's piece on the book whets my appetite even more, especially what she says about the ending!
I am very glad indeed that this won. You will really love it, Cornflower. I'm prepared to lay a bet. All the books I've read of his are good. Hurray. I saw an interview with Shirley Hazzard saying she reckoned that either she or Nina Bawden ought to win as they're the only ones alive to receive the prize. What a very silly thing to say!
Posted by: adele geras | 20 May 2010 at 10:04 AM
Karen, you DON'T need any more books - remember????
Posted by: Dark Puss | 20 May 2010 at 10:36 AM
I already have that one, DP!
Posted by: Cornflower | 20 May 2010 at 10:38 AM
Hmmm, there's probably few books published recently (or indeed republished) that you don't have! I'd suggest you don't add it to your tbr pile until you have got that down below 10 volumes. Now there's an incentive to rapidly deal with the backlog!
Posted by: Dark Puss | 20 May 2010 at 10:44 AM
I have to say that I have been intrigued by this book since seeing it short listed. Now thats its won I want to read it even more... grrrr!
Posted by: Simon (Savidge Reads) | 20 May 2010 at 11:29 AM