Following last month’s revelation of the 2017 longlist for the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction, the shortlist has been announced today. As you probably know by now, I am currently working my way through all of the shortlisted titles for this prize since it began in 2010 (you can see my progress here). There are seven books on this year’s list and for once I’m off to a good start as I’ve already read three of them!
Here are the seven:
A Country Road, A Tree by Jo Baker
Days Without End by Sebastian Barry
The Vanishing Futurist by Charlotte Hobson
The Good People by Hannah Kent
Golden Hill by Francis Spufford
Mothering Sunday by Graham Swift
The Gustav Sonata by Rose Tremain
***
Of the three books that I’ve read, I loved Golden Hill and The Good People, and although I wasn’t a fan of Days Without End, Sebastian Barry’s writing is beautiful and I would say it has a good chance of winning. Of the four that I haven’t read, I already have a copy of The Gustav Sonata which I’m hoping to read soon, but I don’t know anything about the others. Have you read any of them? What do you think of this year’s shortlist?
The winner will be announced in June!
She Reads Novels 
You will be busy! I want to read the Rose Tremain
Of the four I haven’t read, the Rose Tremain appeals to me the most. I have a copy of it so will be able to read it soon!
I wasn’t so keen on The Good People and that’s the only one I’ve read so far. I have a copy of Days Without End though, which will be my first introduction to Barry’s work, so I have no idea how I’ll get along with that. Otherwise, I’ve seen positive reviews of the Swift and, I think, the Tremain, but the rest don’t ring any bells. I look forward to hearing what you think of them! 😀
I’ll be interested to know what you think of Days Without End. It isn’t my favourite of his books (I’ve read four of them so far) but I think that’s partly because I preferred the settings of his earlier ones. His writing is always beautiful, though. 🙂
I know none of these. Love the cover of The Vanishing Futurist, though — that may be enough to make me seek the novel out!
I don’t know anything about The Vanishing Futurist either, but I agree that the cover is great – it really stands out from the others.
I’m so keen to read the Jo Baker. I love Beckett!
The Jo Baker book does sound interesting. I’m looking forward to reading that one.
Alas, I have not managed to read any yet though Golden Hill and The Gustav Sonata are already on my list. The Good People also sounds fascinating, though difficult.
The Good People was not an easy book to read, but I did enjoy it. I can highly recommend Golden Hill!
Looking through your list of short-listers I counted 17 I’ve read, not quite as many as you have. Of the 2917 list, I’m looking forward most to The Gustav Sonata and Mothering Sunday. Maybe I’ll make a list like you have. 🙂
P.S. – I adapted your idea and enlarged my own Walter Scott Challenge giving you some credit – thank you!
https://beckylindroos.wordpress.com/challenges/walter-scott-prize/
That’s great, Becky – I hope you enjoy reading the shortlists. I’ve discovered lots of wonderful new books and authors through this challenge. 🙂 I’m looking forward to The Gustav Sonata and Mothering Sunday too.
Yay, I’ve already read one! But you are really getting through them. I’ll update my Walter Scott page and put in the links to your reviews. I haven’t reviewed The Gustav Sonata yet.
I’ve been lucky this year as I had already read three of those books before even the longlist was announced. 🙂
That’s great!
Among the longlisted I read two that weren’t shortlisted. I would love to read Golden Hill (I read your review) and The Gustav Sonata (I don’t know what it is about but I like the title).
Golden Hill is great – I would definitely recommend it. And yes, The Gustav Sonata is an intriguing title. I’m hoping to start that one soon. 🙂
I look forward to your review to see if it’s a book I would like to read.
Several of these are already on my tbr: The Gustav Sonata, Golden Hill, Mothering Sunday. The Jo Baker is new to me and it sounds great. Another for the list!
I knew nothing about the Jo Baker book until it was nominated for this prize, but it does sound good!