It seems like a very long time since we learned of the short list.
My blog post about the shortlist is here, and it gives a one sentence summary about each of the books, the only book I have read and reviewed, so of course it is my favourite is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Americanah which I reviewed here.
Here are the six novels that were shortlisted for the prize:
Today Peirene Press are running their weekly quiz using the hashtag #PeiQuiz and their question is:
My answer to the quiz was:
a book I read recently, which was not only a great story, but one you won’t be able to stop thinking about and one I gave a rare 5 stars to. You can read the review here if you missed it.
But back to the Baileys Prize!
The winner of the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction in 2014 is….
Congratualtions to Eimear McBride and Galley Beggars Press, a fabulous result for a novel that was written in six months and took 10 years to find its place in the world, proof if ever there was for writers to continue to persevere!
Further Reading
Review – Eric Karl Anderson at Lonesome Reader, who read them all and accurately picked the winner, he writes excellent reviews, I recommend following
Review – Anne Enright’s review of A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing in The Guardian.
Word by Word 
Yikes…I’ve only read The Lowland (which I loved). I guess the TBR is going to grow again.
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I know the feeling, I feel like they all so familiar from reading so many reviews, but have only read the one myself – I do have The Goldfinch, but saving that for my summer beach read.
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Of this list, I’ve only read The Goldfinch. I liked it, but not as much as the Pulitzer Prize committee liked it.
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Do you think you’ll be reading the winner?
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Honestly, I just don’t know enough about it to say whether I’m likely to read it. Prizes don’t factor much into my purchasing/reading decisions, but sometimes the publicity will help me realize that it’s the type of book I’m interested in.
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Likewise, I know this is an experimental novel, so likely to challenge many, I usually prefer to read that kind of work in winter hibernation, when there is less activity and more likelihood of appropriate reflection and appreciation.
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I kind of like that the winner is one of the two books on the list that I’ve heard the least about. The opening sentences included in the review you linked to rather deter me from this one, but then the opening sentences of ‘At Swim, Two Boys’, another Irish novel, would have similarly deterred me and I loved that one.
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Yes, it’s always good when the awards highlight lesser known books and Galley Beggar sound like a new press that is enjoying sweet success, well done to them.
I have to say I am intrigued by the use of language and the diversity of opinion in reading it and most certainly this is not a book to judge on its opening lines or pages alone. I hope you dare to try it, I am going to, especially after reading someone comparing it to Hanne Orstavik’s The Blue Room which I have only just read.
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Oh, wow. Ten years to get published. I have a soft spot for this book and its author just for that fact alone. Congratulations to McBride! BTW, LOVE your photo of ‘Americanah’, a book I want to read this summer (and would love to read there). : )
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Yes, definitely worthy of supporting and it appears to be a reader’s book, supported by reader’s rather than publishers, kind of says something doesn’t it!
I hope you get to read Americanah in a similar location, picture taken at Cap Le Rousset, Carry-Le-Rouet 🙂
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Quite fascinating, Claire! The dark horse won 🙂 In a field that included Jhumpa Lahiri, Donna Tartt and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, it was really interesting and nice to know that Eimear McBride’s book won the Bailey’s prize. Congratulations to her!
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Indeed Vishy! A fabulous win for an experimental novel that finally found it’s true home and now the recognition it deserves.
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I’ve read Burial Rites, and The Undertaking, and both were very good reads. I’ve just ordered the winner today, looking forward to trying it!
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Have you read the winner yet? I am intrigued but know it’s one to read with an open mind and patience to get used to the writing style.
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Despite the prize the book by McBride doesn’t really sound something I would like. Avoiding the hype this time and will read The Lowland.
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Look forward to how you get on with it. I love her writing and will read it for sure eventually, surprised to see quite mixed reviews though.
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Nice blog. I don’t believe I have visited before.
The only book I have read is Burial Rites. It was VERY GOOD. I want to read Lowland.
Enjoy your reading week.
Elizabeth
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I want to read both those too and know I will eventually. Thank you so much for visiting and leaving a comment. I am indeed enjoying my reading week with Tove Jansson’s story/vignettes in Art in Nature. #TOVE100
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The only one I’ve read is The Goldfinch, which I did love. I’ve started listening to Americanah as an audiobook, and Burial Rites is on my list! The winning novel sounds very challenging… I would like to give it a try, but likely in fall or winter.
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It does sound like a challenge and interesting that the judges went for it, but a real coup also for the author who struggled to find a publisher for many years.
Overall, a great list of book suggestions, I am looking forward to reading The Goldfinch this summer and also definitely want to read Burial Rites too.
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