The shortlisted authors, yesterday at the V&A Library
This dress, (thank you, Avsh Alom), with a gold, labradorite and jade necklace, a gold python clutch from SS09 loaned by Anya Hindmarch, and jewelled Christian Louboutin shoes.
I'd love to show you pics of all the accessories but I can't find the cable that connects the camera to the computer
All the shortlisted authors spent quite a bit of time together yesterday and I shall be happy if any of them take the prize (Man PLC which sponsors it and coughs up the £50k is a hedge fund, so we might want it in gold bullion, to be on the safe side.) But all things being equal, based on the readings we did last night at the South Bank, I'd give it to Steve Toltz for one of the best descriptions of Jewish hypochondria I've ever heard.
And to all of you who have sent good wishes and good luck for tonight, thank you. We'll be partying until the small hours at the Groucho Club afterwards, so don't expect reports on the event too early tomorrow.
Gorgeous dress, Linda, perfect! I'll be holding a good thought for you tonight. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteGood luck tonight, Linda. I bet you'll look fantastic and I might even put on some posh wellies to raise a glass to you, down here in wet, muddy Devon. Have a great night.
ReplyDeleteThe dress is fabulous, Linda (love the sleeves)! Will be thinking of you. Have a great day and a wonderful evening.
ReplyDeleteHaving seen you in person when you were here in Melbourne on your book tour, I'm sure you'll look just fab in that beautiful dress. It is perfect. Have a wonderful evening!
ReplyDeleteHave a superb evening, Linda. Thank you so much for allowing us a behind-the-scenes glimpse of this high-profile event!
ReplyDeleteWonderful dress, Linda! Wishing you lots of luck for tonight.
ReplyDeleteGood luck from New Zealand too. Have a great time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely dress. I hope you have a wonderful evening. And thank you for injecting a good measure of glamour into a prestigious literary award.
ReplyDeleteAbsolute perfection. Fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteHow can you not win in a dress like this? Good luck for tonight!
ReplyDeleteLove the dress and here in Israel, wishing you all the best.
ReplyDeleteTash
The dress is lovely--just perfect. Wishing you good luck and a wonderful time tonight.
ReplyDeleteAs my dear old Dad used to say - crossed fingers is not enough - all paired appendages will be crossed..sending best of luck thoughts your way. (oh, and wow - the dress is fabulous - you will look fantastic in it)
ReplyDeleteYou'll certainly be a winner in this, whatever the result!! Best of luck for tonight!
ReplyDeleteLove the dress! Good luck.
ReplyDeleteThat is a gorgeous dress, you lucky woman.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
How fabulous! All good wishes - and have a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteThe dress is absolutely divine. You will look a billion dollars! Good luck and have a wonderful evening!
ReplyDeletejust finished reading your book (which i bought in Stratford on Avon) and loved, loved it... immediately handing it over to my aunt, who will, i am certain, also love, love it.
ReplyDeletebest of luck tonight.
The dress is exquisite; I can't wait for the pictures with you in it, decked out for an evening of recognition that you fully deserve. Good luck for the win, and I'll watch the newsfeeds. Here in California we should know before dinner time.
ReplyDeleteYou look terrific in the group photo and will look amazing tonight. We can be jittery for you so you can enjoy the evening. Have a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteGood Luck! Lovely dress.
ReplyDeleteMY earlier post seems to have disappeared. Anyway - fabulous dress! As my mother used to say, "wear it in good health". My copy of your book arrived last week from the Book Depository. Good Luck Tonight!
ReplyDeleteA question for Fay in Melbourne - Were you by any chance on the Edinburgh-London train in early September that got stuck (briefly, thank goodness), in the floods near Newcastle? I was reading Linda's book and another passenger (you?) asked me about it as she'd seen Linda during her Australian tour…
ReplyDeleteThe dress looks Absolutely Gorgeous! I know that you will look fantastic. It appears that you are in good company and I wish you the best of luck!
ReplyDeleteYou will be stunning, on this momentous evening and through a riotous night!
ReplyDeleteLinda, what an absolutely gorgeous dress! Have a wonderful, wonderful time; and catch the huge hug coming your way from Tel Aviv.
ReplyDeleteLisa xx
Sorry you didn't win, but I went on the Booker website and heard the excerpt from your book. Nice reading (an actor)?
ReplyDeleteI'll look for the book.
And that in the end is the point of all these silly competitions.
I had to laugh when I saw how relatively casually the winner was dressed. But now you have a great outfit.
Sorry you were edged by the White Tiger (though I'll read that too). Funny how the themes echo one another:
ReplyDelete"The White Tiger takes a sharp and unblinking look at the reality of India's economic miracle. Its antihero and narrator, Balram Halwai, is a cocksure, uneducated young man, the son of an impovershed rickshaw driver. By lying, betraying and using his sharp intelligence, Balram makes his ascent into the heady heights of Bangalore's big business.
Portillo said that Adiga "undertakes an extraordinary task - he gains and holds the attention of the reader for a hero who is a thoroughgoing villain".
He also praised the work's attention to "important social issues - the division between rich and poor, and issues on a global scale. And it is extremely readable." (from the Guardian).
Following the Booker has provided a welcome respite from the Canadian federal elections, also today. We won't have any official returns until people have voted in British Columbia, thousands of km (or miles) away... in the land of "outdoorsy" wear.
Hi Linda, have been horribly busy at work. Markets meltdown makes my eyes water.
ReplyDeleteWas thinking of you, and hoped you looked simply wonderful. Surprised The White Tiger won. I agree Steve Toltz was brilliant. I hope you had a memorable evening anyway.
Thumbs up for the essay on 42-day detention.