Wednesday 17 October 2012

Bits and pieces, and the Man Booker Prize 2012

Today I'm really excited to be featured on The Writing Nut, answering Nutschell's great questions and sharing what I look like in a bridesmaid's dress! Please pop over and take a look - at the interview, not just the dress.

I've also got a couple of new stories up on the Alfie Dog Fiction site from today, if you fancy popping along there too.


The Man Booker Prize
It was the Man Booker Prize last night. Hilary Mantel won for a second time - the first British author to win twice - so it was a great achievement for her. I haven't read either of her winning novels, and I actually had my fingers crossed for Alison Moore. In general I'm not overly keen on historical fiction, because I spend far too much time wondering which bits are fact and which bits have been made up. I know I should just read the story as I would any other novel, but I can't. Maybe it's time to give historical fiction another chance?

What do you think of the winner? Have you read the book? Who were you hoping to win?

39 comments:

  1. I popped over to Nutschell's blog - great answers to the questions! :D

    I really must check out that Alfie Dog site!

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  2. I haven't read Hilary's books but I do have a copy of Wolf Hall. I'm looking forward to reading it one of these days.

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    1. It's pretty hard to ignore a double Booker winner, isn't it?

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  3. Look at you, all over the interwebs!

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    1. Lol, I'm trying, but I'm not as good at it as some people :-)

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  4. I haven't read the book, but I love the title. OK, popping over to The Writing Nut now :)

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  5. I like historical fiction and I've got a copy of Wolf Hall... but I haven't read it yet. My TBR pile is too big - I never seem to get round to it!

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    1. I know how you feel - my TBR list grows daily, and my Kindle app is filling up nicely as well. I just don't have the time! I might plan a day or two curled up during the Christmas holidays, just reading.

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  6. Congratulations on the stories - I'll download them when I find out how to get them onto my kindle from the mobi file - I'm guessing I just connect up... (you know me and my technical prowess!) I was rooting for The Lighthouse, but to be honest it was the only one I'd read! I loved it, though - very haunting and darkly funny.

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    1. Lol - thanks you. I'm not quite sure how it works either. Hubby bought my first one and it disappeared!

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  7. I haven't read the book but congrats to Hilary on her second win. Quite an achievement. Congratulations on your stories too, Annalisa. I will hop over to your interview and check it out.

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    1. Thanks Suzanne. Yes, two Bookers is an amazing achievement - only two other writers have managed it.

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  8. Will certainly see you over at Schell's!

    What a fantastic achievement. I'll have to make a note to read one of her books.

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  9. I adore Hilary Mantel. I've read both of the Thomas Cromwell books and loved them both. She's an absolute genius in my opinion. Did I mention I love her writing? She so deserved to win again. :))

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    1. I'm really keen to read both Wolf Hall and Bringing Up the Bodies now.

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  10. I have to admit I'm usually not a fan of award winning novels.

    I've already popped over to Nutschell's place and enjoyed the interview.

    New follower :)

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    1. Thanks for checking out the interview and the follow Lynda :-)

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  11. You look great in a bridesmaid dress, you have lovely legs :) and a general very alluring figure. Congrats on the post and on the new stories published at Alfie :).

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  12. I rushed over to see you in the bridesmaid dress. I feel cheated - people are supposed to look a bit naff in them and you look fabulous.

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    1. Thank you... although I'm still blushing from the comment above. I've had my share of naff - I was a 13 year old tomboy in a lilac bridesmaid dress with puffy sleeves... a sight to behold!

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  13. Great Interview! I also write a lot of longhand and even carry a little notepad with me at all times in my purse. I admit that I also went over to see the bridesmaid dress. :) Loved the dress and the pics. :)

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    1. Thanks for checking out the interview! I carry a notebook too, but I usually forget I've got it with me...

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  14. I never read it, but I do love historical fiction. Playing make-believe and avoiding reality is what I do best!

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    1. I completely agree with avoiding reality - it's overrated anyway :-)

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  15. I have Hilary's book on my kindle but not started reading it yet! Looking forward to it. Love the interview!

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    1. Thanks for checking out the interview. Hope you enjoy the book!

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  16. Never read her. Off to check out the interview!

    Allison (Geek Banter)

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  17. Hi Annalisa .. no I haven't read her book, or this one ... I probably should - as you say what's real or not ... presumably the concept of the era is there and I'd enjoy that. I'll be over to check out your bridesmaid's dress ... Nutschell does great interviews ... cheers Hilary

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    1. Nutschell's interviews are great. I really enjoyed being featured :-)

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  18. I read Wolf Hall, and REALLY want to read Bringing Up the Bodies. I think I'll buy it the moment I get my salary this month.

    :-D

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    1. I love having things to look forward to buying on pay day - enjoy!

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  19. I had never even heard of the Booker prize until I met you. I guess I should get on that...

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    1. I think I'm more likely in the minority than you are Jennie. Even my friends were ignoring my Facebook posts on the Booker Prize - whereas I was reading every possible article about the shortlisted authors!

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