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Orange Prize Other

The 2012 Orange Prize Longlist

The Ones I’ve Already Read

The Forgotten Waltz

The Forgotten Waltz by Anne Enright

Five words from the blurb: powerful, people, moving, love, adultery

My review: The Forgotten Waltz by Anne Enright

One of the few authors able to engage me without the use of a plot. This character study is packed with emotion.

 

The Night Circus

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Five words from the blurb: circus, dark, dazzling, world, imaginative

My review: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Unforgettable, vivid setting, but plot is a bit weak.

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The Song of Achilles
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Five words from the blurb: Greece, Heroes, King, war, immortal

My review: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Light, but enjoyable read that will suit anyone interested in Greek mythology.

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Gillespie and I

Gillespie and I by Jane Harris

Five words from the blurb: Glasgow, encounter, tragedy, mystery, humour

My review: Gillespie and I by Jane Harris

An entertaining Victorian mystery.

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Half Blood Blues

Half Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan

Five words from the blurb: cabaret, black, Berlin, betrayal, secrets

My review: Half Blood Blues – Esi Edugyan

Fantastic atmosphere, but too much jazz for me.

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The Sealed Letter

The Sealed Letter by Emma Donoghue

Five words from the blurb: Victorian, women’s movement, marriage, affair, divorce

My review: The Sealed Letter by Emma Donoghue

Some great descriptions of Victorian London, but court case was too slow for me.

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State of Wonder

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett

Five words from the blurb: Brazilian, river, researcher, mystery, secrets

This book had some great sections, but they were interspersed by long dull bits. I abandoned it at the half way point.

Painter of Silence

Painter of Silence by Georgina Harding

Five words from the blurb: Romania, hospital, memories, society, war, victim

Beautiful poetic writing, but plot was too gentle for me. I abandoned it after 50 pages.

The Ones I Haven’t Read

Island of Wings

Island of Wings by Karin Altenberg

Five words from the blurb: islands, family, love, madness, hardship

On the Floor
On the Floor by Aifric Campbell

Five words from the blurb: city, bank, success, trouble, risk

The Flying Man

The Flying Man by Roopa Farooki

Five words from the blurb: man, charm, Pakistan, escapes, game

The Translation of the Bones

The Translation of the Bones by Francesca Kay

Five words from the blurb: motherhood, faith, love, emotional, London

The Blue Book
The Blue Book by A.L. Kennedy

Five words from the blurb: voyage, deceived, super-rich, false, hearts

There but for the

There but for the by Ali Smith

Five words from the blurb: dinner party, stranger, satirical, perspective, memory

The Pink Hotel

The Pink Hotel by Anna Stothard

Five words from the blurb: Los Angeles, funeral, mother, letters, photographs

Tides of War

Tides of War by Stella Tillyard

Five words from the blurb: Regency England, Spain, Peninsular War, freedom, women

Lord of Misrule

Lord of Misrule by Jaimy Gordon

Five words from the blurb: horses, racing, steal, fast, winners

The Grief of Others

The Grief of Others by Leah Hager Cohen

Five words from the blurb: family, secret, past, grief, tenderness

Foreign Bodies
Foreign Bodies by Cynthia Ozick

Five words from the blurb: teacher, New York, divorce, family, love

The Submission

The Submission by Amy Waldman

Five words from the blurb: 9/11, memorial, grief, Muslim, conflicts

My Plans

This is an interesting list, containing several books that are new to me. So far I’ve tried 8 books and whilst several have been enjoyable, none have bowled me over with their brilliance. I would like to try all the books at some point, but make no promises about finishing them.  

The Submission has been on my radar for a while so this gives me the perfect excuse to read it soon. I’ll read the others over the coming weeks, but try to spread the reviews out a little bit so that this blog doesn’t become overly Orange.

What do you make of the list?

Which book do you think I’ll enjoy the most? 

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