Man Booker Longlist

Amardeep takes issue with Amitava Kumar's recent critique of Rushdie:

"Though I generally admire Amitava Kumar, here I have to disagree with him, especially the central thesis of this essay -- the idea that what Rushdie has been writing about all along is himself. There is undoubtedly narcissism there (in the recent books), but there is also a real feel for the subject matter (in the earlier books). Not to mention brilliant wordplay, compelling storytelling, and verve. And Rushdie's narcissism, especially since it is checked by self-consciousness about the same, need not be a mortal sin. In the right hands, it can also be revelatory.
(Incidentally, isn't it a little bit odd that Kumar marks Rushdie's narcissism in a review that is largely structured as a personal essay?)"

Rushdie's ex-wife, meanwhile, was in the news. Marianne Wiggins reviewed John Irving for The Washington Post in what might be called a negative manner:
"Until I Find You , the new John Irving novel, goes for over 800 pages and leaves one with an even greater appreciation for the Viagra label's warning of penile erectile states that might last up to four or five hours. Make it stop!"
The Post apologised a month later after Irving complained, and reported on the apology:
"Wiggins wasn't the only reviewer to dislike Irving's book, but she was likely the only one once married to author Salman Rushdie, a longtime friend of Irving's. Noting that he had a personal relationship with Wiggins, Irving complained to the Post, which requires critics to sign agreements that "any contact, friendly or otherwise, with the author of this book" should be disclosed to the paper."

Shalimar the Clown made it to the Man Booker longlist,; it's in good company, what with McEwan, Ishiguro and a Coetzee I haven't read yet and will approach with some trepidation after Elizabeth Costello.

Tash Aw - The Harmony Silk Factory

John Banville - The Sea

Julian Barnes - Arthur & George

Sebastian Barry - A Long Long Way

JM Coetzee - Slow Man

Rachel Cusk - In the Fold

Kazuo Ishiguro - Never Let Me Go

Dan Jacobson - All For Love

Marina Lewycka - A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian

Hilary Mantel - Beyond Black

Ian McEwan - Saturday

James Meek - The People's Act of Love

Salman Rushdie - Shalimar the Clown

Ali Smith - The Accidental

Zadie Smith - On Beauty

Harry Thompson - This Thing of Darkness

William Wall - This Is The Country