Difference between revisions of "Costa Prize 2010"
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|summary=Gorgeous coming-of-age novel set in Zimbabwe in a time of political upheaval. Both compelling and thought-provoking, it'll stay with them long after they've finished reading. The judges said: For us, this extraordinary debut novel was a unanimous winner. This compelling portrayal of a nation in crisis gripped us from start to finish and has stayed with us since. | |summary=Gorgeous coming-of-age novel set in Zimbabwe in a time of political upheaval. Both compelling and thought-provoking, it'll stay with them long after they've finished reading. The judges said: For us, this extraordinary debut novel was a unanimous winner. This compelling portrayal of a nation in crisis gripped us from start to finish and has stayed with us since. | ||
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Revision as of 11:46, 31 January 2024
WINNER
Of Mutability by Jo Shapcott
The Shortlists
Costa First Novel Award
Winner
Review ofWitness the Night by Kishwar DesaiAn interesting insight into women's issues in India clumsily forced into a severely disappointing narrative. The judges thought differently - they said We were thrilled and exhilarated by this stunning debut. Just like her feisty main character, Desai has fearlessly blown the lid on the problems that simmer under the surface of modern- day India Full Review |
Other Books On The Shortlist
Review ofCoconut Unlimited by Nikesh ShuklaOur reviewer has just about lived the story - and he can tell you how good it is. Full Review |
Review ofThe Temple-Goers by Aatish TaseerA harsh portrait of a modern India that is short on sentiment and heavy on ambition. Full Review |
Review ofNot Quite White by Simon ThirskAn intelligent, in-depth look at Anglo-Welsh relations in modern fictional times. A young, idealistic Englishman is given the unenviable remit by Westminster to 'sort out' a small community in Wales and drag it kicking and screaming into the 21st Century - but is he up to this mammoth challenge? Full Review |
Costa Novel Award
Winner
Review ofThe Hand That First Held Mine by Maggie O'FarrellTwo women come to London as adults, some fifty years apart - one from rural Devon, the other from Finland, yet there is a connection between them whih neither could have imagined. An exquisite story of love in all its forms - highly recommended. The judges said: A book of grand themes and intimate moments. This gripping novel is the one we'd unreservedly recommend Full Review |
Other Books On The Shortlist
Review ofWhatever You Love by Louise DoughtyLaura plans revenge after losing her 9 year old daughter in an accident, in a beautifully written and utterly compelling novel. Full Review |
Review ofThe Blasphemer by Nigel FarndaleMilitant atheism takes on angelic visions in this wide-ranging book with a parallel narrative that takes us from the trenches of WWI to today's War on Terror. Bookbag loved the general idea and the quality of the writing, but failed to engage with any of the characters and found it rather cluttered. Full Review |
Review ofSkippy Dies by Paul MurrayLife and death in and around an Irish private school, in this all-encompassing brick of a novel, which does resolve into an enjoyable plot. Full Review |
Costa Poetry Award
We don't review poetry, but these were the runners and riders:
Winner
Of Mutability by Jo Shapcott
Other Books on the Shortlist
Standard Midland by Roy Fisher
The Wrecking of Light by Robin Robertson
New Light for the Old Dark by Sam Willetts
Costa Biography Award
Winner
Review ofThe Hare With Amber Eyes: A Hidden Inheritance by Edmund de WaalThe judges said: A truly special book. De Waal is a first-class potter and has proven himself with this book to be a first-class writer - he's able to handle a very serious subject with a delicacy, charm and touch that is rare Full Review |
Other Books On The Shortlist
Review ofHow to Live: A Life of Montaigne in One Question and Twenty Attempts at an Answer by Sarah BakewellEvery bit as good as its quirky title suggests, Montaigne's ideas are still relevant half a millennium later. A must-read for those with existential angst or pretensions to erudition. Full Review |
Review ofMy Father's Fortune: A Life by Michael FraynA wonderful book which will have you laughing and crying. Full Review |
Costa Children's Book Award
The Winner
Review ofOut of Shadows by Jason WallaceGorgeous coming-of-age novel set in Zimbabwe in a time of political upheaval. Both compelling and thought-provoking, it'll stay with them long after they've finished reading. The judges said: For us, this extraordinary debut novel was a unanimous winner. This compelling portrayal of a nation in crisis gripped us from start to finish and has stayed with us since. Full Review |
Other Books On The Shortlist
Review ofFlyaway by Lucy ChristopherIsla and her father love to watch the wild swans arrive, but this year things are different. Isla's father is seriously ill, and after a terrible accident one of the youngest swans forgets how to fly. Isla puts her energies into teaching the swan, convinced that somehow this will help her father pull through. Full Review |
Review ofAnnexed by Sharon DogarHow was it for Peter? Sharon Dogar imagines life for Peter van Pels in the Amsterdam annexe with Anne Frank during WWII. There's been some controversy about this book, but Bookbag thought it was an intimate, thoughtful and absorbing novel. Full Review |
Review ofThe Ring of Solomon (Bartimaeus) by Jonathan StroudPrequel to Stroud's tremendously popular Bartimaeus trilogy. There's more magic and magicians this time and the setting is ancient and mythologised, far from London. Lots of twists and turns too. Fans are going to love it. Bookbag did. Full Review |
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