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4 out of 5 stars
By
Cariola
on
07-08-14
Taking Down the Booker Prize
This was my first experience reading Edward St. Aubyn, and I quite enjoyed the ride. Lost for Words is a send-up of the British literary scene--in particular, the Man Booker Prize and all the hubbub surrounding it. St. Aubyn clearly took his inspiration from the controversy of a few years back, when a semi-qualified panel decided to invoke popularity over literary quality. Several of the judges for the Elysian Prize for Literature have spurious qualifications; others unabashedly admit to not planning to read all the submitted books, and each is promoting a particular book because of preference (e.g., one likes nothing better than Scottish historical novels). The hopeful authors have their quirks as well. (My favorite was an Indian writer whose publisher mistakenly submits his aunt's cookbook instead of his own novel, The Mulberry Elephant.) St. Aubyn provides subtle humor in the behind-the-scenes rivalries and passions as well as the public debates. I saw the ending coming, but it was still fun getting there.
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8 of 8 people found this review helpful
5 out of 5 stars
By
J. Houghton
on
07-01-14
St. Aubyn and Jennings -- made in heaven
Would you consider the audio edition of Lost for Words to be better than the print version?
I wouldn't know
Who was your favorite character and why?
Sonny was funny
Which character – as performed by Alex Jennings – was your favorite?
I would listen to Alex Jennings read the phone book -- wait, they don't have phone books anymore...
Who was the most memorable character of Lost for Words and why?
Very much an ensemble piece, With ESA and AJ giving each character his/her own unique voice.
Any additional comments?
I was hoping the Melrose novels weren't that one (large) autobiographical novel everyone's got inside them, i.e. a fluke of sorts. No way. Edward St. Aubyn is the real thing and I eagerly await his next offering (read by Jennings, pleeeeeze!?)
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6 of 6 people found this review helpful