tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36622997.post8492472488492766328..comments2024-03-14T04:35:06.209+13:00Comments on Beattie's Book Blog - unofficial homepage of the New Zealand book community: NZ POST BOOK AWARDS - FICTION SHORTLISTBeattie's Book Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01505389626725979100noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36622997.post-75441852390517314452011-06-02T13:38:28.553+12:002011-06-02T13:38:28.553+12:00I think this list worthy and rather earnest, espe...I think this list worthy and rather earnest, especially the fiction.Terrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36622997.post-72512779335137059332011-06-02T06:18:30.281+12:002011-06-02T06:18:30.281+12:00I wanted to say how gobsmacked I was that Patrick ...I wanted to say how gobsmacked I was that Patrick Evan's brilliant novel Gifted wasn't shortlisted for the NZ Post Book Awards. I would've howled in disbelief if Gifted hadn't won the fiction category, but not to be even shortlisted? It makes a mockery of the whole judging process. Not to take anything away from the three other shortlisted novels but they aren't even in the same ball park as Gifted. I can only conclude one of two things; either the judges don't know their asses from other parts of their anatomy when it comes to literary writing or the shortlist has been compiled through consensus and compromises. Let's face it the only colour that a committee can ever agree to paint a roof is grey.<br /> <br />And for God's sake, let's get the shortlist back up to five books.Carl Nixonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36622997.post-4338313576550560322011-06-01T14:43:22.129+12:002011-06-01T14:43:22.129+12:00Tim is ineligible for best first book because year...Tim is ineligible for best first book because years ago he got title page credit for the ghostwritten autobiography of CF Goldie. <br /><br />I have reservations about the strictness of the criteria, because some deserving writers have been denied in the past, but this year they've produced a happy result.Fergus Barrowmanhttp://victoria.ac.nz/vupnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36622997.post-43128938583532024262011-06-01T14:20:21.524+12:002011-06-01T14:20:21.524+12:00Charlotte Randall's book was published this ye...Charlotte Randall's book was published this year so will be considered by next's years judges.<br /><br />Lloyd's absence is a surprise though. Perhaps that one stinker of a review in The Listener sank it?<br /><br />Another thought though - Tim Wilson is a debut novelist who has gone straight to the finalist list…. So, how does Pip Adam win best first book as I seem to recall Mary McCallum went straight to the short-list three (?) years ago with The Blue and therefore there was no best first book award that year. Odd.Beattie's Book Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01505389626725979100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36622997.post-68852344408750435122011-06-01T14:18:22.031+12:002011-06-01T14:18:22.031+12:00There is no way Hokitika Town by Charlotte Randell...There is no way Hokitika Town by Charlotte Randell could be a finalist this year as it was published in February 2011.Only books published before December <br />31st 2010 are eligible for the 2011 awards.<br />It may well be a finalist next year.Jeff Grigornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36622997.post-21356116436055172092011-06-01T13:24:30.167+12:002011-06-01T13:24:30.167+12:00Yes incredible and just shows the churlish nature ...Yes incredible and just shows the churlish nature of the local industry. Only 3 titles worthy enough! What about Charlotte Randell's Hokitika book and I suppose dear Lloyd will have his nose out of joint considering the abscence of Hand Me Down World.<br /><br />Looks like Laurence Fearnley is going to get the gong after a few close calls.Paul Shannonnoreply@blogger.com