General Discussion

vernon god little was the best of the lot

Having read them all I would say it's a tough decision. The God of Small Things was beautifully written and Vernon God Little very clever. Though for me, The White Tiger was very provocative and - being a Kiwi - I found The Bone People touching and mesmorising, with its alternative underlying storyline completely tying it together for me. All worthy of winning the Booker in my mind.

Of the three I have read, I loved Bone People the most. It transported me and I lived in a different world while I was reading it. I loved the people there. I got a real kick from the original writing style. In God of Small Things, I experienced true horror through the eyes of a child. I enjoyed White Tiger and its authentic Indian-English voice.

Ah, I see, thanks.

I do think they should be included, I was referring to entries near the beginning of this thread where a couple of people question whether debuts should be eligible for the prize.

Who said debut books are not included? I think there were a few on this year's list, weren't there?

From this websites homepage....

The Man Booker Prize for Fiction, first awarded in 1969, promotes the finest in fiction by rewarding the very best book of the year.

If debut books aren't included how could you say the prize has gone to the best book of the year?

ARAVIND ADIGAS' WHITE TIGER IS ONE OF THE REALISTIC NOVELS ABOUT INDIA. THE TRUE UNDERDOG LIFE DEPICTED IN A EQUALLY TRUE CANVAS OF DELHI AND DHANBAD. IT SMARTLY PORTRAYS THE DEVIOUS WAYS AND METHODS OF BUSINESS MEN POLITICIAN NEXUS AND THE MODUS OPERANDI OF HOW THEY LOOT THE COUNTRY JOINTLY. STRANGELY IT HAS NOT DESERVED THE ATTENTION IT SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED ON THE MEDIA. KUDOS TO ADIGA.
RAJASEN.V

I think The White Tiger is a good novel but I'm looking forward to read Vernon God Little, I can't find a copy here in the Philippines

Keri Hulme's "The Bone People" is one of the most extraordinary books I have ever read. I read it 20 years ago or so, and it is still something I remember for its rich language. However, I have not yet read the other books discussed here. I don't understand why "The Bone People" would be discussed in such a disparaging manner. Everyone has different tastes. That is one of the great aspects of Art. I have been intending to read the arundhati roy novel, but have been reading some of her political essays instead, which are incredibly astute, intelligent and brave.