Earlier in the year a long list was published for the books that missed out in 1970 On booker prize when the date was changed .
The Birds on the Trees by Nina Bawden (Virago)-this book is about a 19-year-old growing up in middle class family .
• Troubles by J G Farrell (Phoenix) this was the first in the trilogy ,the second siege won the booker in 1973 .It was made in to a film in 1988.
• The Bay of Noon by Shirley Hazzard (Virago)-Hazzard won the miles franklin award one of australis most prestigious awards in 2004
• Fire From Heaven by Mary Renault (Arrow)-a book about Alexander the great Renault wrote both fiction and non fiction about Alexander
• The Driver’s Seat by Muriel Spark (Penguin)-best known for prime of Jean Brodie ,this was one of her favourite books .
• The Vivisector by Patrick White (Vintage)- White won the nobel prize in 1973 and the solid mandala is probably his best book .
these are the six announced today on the shortlist of them Farrell had won in 1973 with the siege of Krisnapaur ,Sparks had been shortlisted twice in 1969 and 1981 ,Bawden had been shortlist in 1987 .the other three White ,Renault and Hazzard had never been shortlisted .I only read books by Sparks ,White and farell but not the ones on the list .`
have you read any of these books ?
I’ve read Troubles and The Driver’s Seat and highly recommend both. I hope that Muriel Spark wins as her novella is a dark gem that should receive wider attention and recognition.
yes sparks be good maybe a name that has dropped down of late ,the three that hadn’t been listed i hope they get some recognition too