Yesterday, it was announced that Ali Smith’s How To Be Both (which was also shortlisted for the prestigious Man Booker Prize) was awarded the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction.  Previously known as the Orange Prize for Fiction, the Baileys Prize is the only literary prize specifically awarded to women.  The reason is for this is that, like it or not, while women make up a significant percentage of employees within the publishing industry and, obviously, a significant percentage of published authors, they are massively underrepresented in terms of leadership positions within the publishing industry, and in terms of prizes.

According to the Baileys Prize website,

“The inspiration was the Booker Prize of 1991 when none of the six shortlisted books was by a woman, despite some 60% of novels published that year being by female authors.  A group of women and men working in the industry – authors, publishers, agents, booksellers, librarians, journalists – therefore met to discuss the issue.

Research showed that women’s literary achievements were often not acknowledged by the major literary prizes.  The idea for the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction – previously the Orange Prize for Fiction – was born.”

The prize has had a major influence on the reading public and the publishing landscape, primarily within the past few years, as people have begun to question if “we” still need a prize for women (I am still not sure who this “we” is, honestly).  A.S. Byatt and Zoe Heller have both publicly argued that ’cause’ this prize endorses is a specious one, as it treats women’s fiction differently from men.  While I personally would love to believe that reviews and popular support of fiction is blind to either authors’ or characters’ gender/sex, the truth of the matter is that books about male characters win more awards than books about women, and books by men tend to win more awards than those written by women, despite the fact that women are publishing more books overall.  See this graph from The Huffington Post for more details:

Why is this?  Some argue that books about men deal in broader themes, or have more ‘sweeping narratives’…but is this because men make better characters, or because women’s books (both by and about women) get so easily slapped with the tag “chick lit”, and their themes and narratives are obscured by bright pink covers, despite the fact that they deal with real issues, serious subject matter, and focus on life-changing themes, as well?  Is it perhaps because women have been kept out of so many jobs, so many roles in society that it is assumed that they cannot inhabit the same space as men in literature, as well?  And if so, if this really a valid excuse? As Sarah Ditum said in The Guardian today, “It is a terribly simple, terribly important point, but art is how we show ourselves that we exist, and art is how we know each other. As long as women are patronised into obscurity, it is impossible to tell each other that we’re alive, impossible to work together to invent more just worlds for ourselves.”

So, as well all take a minute to ponder our position on this matter (and possibly consider Baileys a little bit, as well…), we offer you an If/Then based on the Baileys Prize, and its past winners….

If you enjoyed Ali Smith’s How To Be Both (and fiction by women…and Baileys….), Then be sure to check out:

A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing: Eimear McBride’s book was nearly never published–after being rejected by publishers for nine straight years, it was finally picked up by Gallery Beggar, “a company specifically set-up to act as a sponsor to writers who have struggled to either find or retain a publisher.”  In a wonderful underdog story, the book went on to win the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award, the Goldsmiths Prize, the Desmond Elliott Prize and the Baileys Women’s Prize in 2014.  This book is a prime reason why the Baileys Prize is so important–McBride’s book may not deal with sweeping or broad themes, but instead, it delves deeply into one women’s personal tragedy with an insight so searingly honest that it is both heartbreaking and beautifully cathartic.  By no means an easy read, McBride’s work is shocking and wonderfully original, and deserves a much bigger audience, particularly in the United States.

May We Be Forgiven: On the surface, A.M. Holmes’ book (which won the 2013 Baileys Prize) is about brothers, none of whom are particularly lovable, and one of whom is is a vicious murderer.  But in telling the story of their relationship, and the events that bring about their downfalls, Holmes is able to bring in a startling amount of philosophy, from Camus to Hedgier, whether its in the course of her narrative, or in the flashes of whimsy that fill this book (at one point, the firm of “Herzog, Henderson & March” is referenced, a tribute to the works of author Saul Bellow).  The New York Times published a review that relentlessly compared Holmes to a number of male authors, and lamented that she didn’t write quite like them, but the Independent said, instead: “Homes is a very, very funny writer, brilliant at pinpointing the ridiculous nature of 21st-century living, and May We Be Forgiven has something of the feel of Catch-22 or The World According to Garp. Homes is a more engaging and empathetic writer than either Joseph Heller or John Irving, though, and she is immensely readable – I raced through these 480 pages faster than anything else I’ve read this year.”

The Song of Achilles: Madeline Miller’s book (winner of the 2012 Baileys Prize) is, broadly speaking, a retelling of The Illiad.  But while Homer tells us what happened–specifically, that the death of his friend Patroclus sent the great warrior Achilles into a killing rage–Miller attempts to explain why these events took place.  A scholar by training, she studied ancient Greek texts for any mention of Patroclus; and rather than giving us the story of the great warrior he became, she shows us the outcast child he was, making this story far more personal, the love between these characters that much more powerful, and the eventual tragedy of The Iliad that much more moving, even though the ending of this story was written thousands of years previously.

Here is the list of all the Baileys Prize (and Orange Prize) Winners.  Come on in and pick out a winner today!

As was mentioned in our post on Tuesday, this week saw the 118th anniversary of the publication of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, one of those wonderful classics that not only stand the test of time, but has influenced more aspects of pop-culture, literature, cinema, and conversation than can be counted here.  For example, Dracula (Stoker’s character, not the real-life Wallachian) has appeared in over 200 films since the book’s publication, which is second only to Sherlock Holmes in number of screen appearances.  Dracula also appears in more than 1,000 novels, but the most recent estimations.

These facts become even more interesting when it is remembered that the book itself was considered a flop when it was first published in 1897.  Indeed, it first gained real attention in 1922 when the silent-film director F.W. Murnau made a film adaptation of the text which he called Nosferatu (the Romanian word for ‘vampire’).  When Florence Balcombe Stoker, Bram Stoker’s widow and the copyright holder for his works, realized that Murnau had adapted her late husband’s work without permission, she sued for infringement and won (to her own enormous financial cost).   All the films reels were destroyed as part of the suit, but, thankfully for us, a number of pirated copies remained in existence.  This is a simply terrific, genuinely creepy film, and even better if you can find a screening with live musical accompaniment.  Max Schrenk, who plays ‘Count Orlock’ (aka Dracula) may bear little resemblance to Stoker’s Dracula, but he is utterly compelling and creepy nevertheless.

Because of the legal dispute this film caused, the popularity of Stoker’s work sky-rocketed, and in 1931, Bela Lugosi starred in the movie that made Dracula the star he is today.  But so few adaptations, though they feature a character named ‘Dracula’, really concern themselves with the essence of the character Stoker’s created (or, indeed, any of the characters in the book), or the history that he wove into his novel.  So what is a Dracula devotee to do?  Here, for your reading and viewing pleasure, we present some of our favorites.

If you like Dracula, Then be sure to check out:

Vlad: The Last Confession: I love this book.  I love this book so much I wrote this post specifically so I could recommend this book.  I do a small dance every time I talk about this book because I just can’t help it.  It is that good.  C.C. Humphreys wanted to write a biography of Vlad Tepes (The real-life ruler who inspired Stoker’s Count), but realized he had nothing new to say on the subject.  So, instead, he turned his facts into fiction, looking at Vlad’s life through the eyes of the three people who knew him best, and who, ultimately betrayed him.  These characters, especially Vlad himself, are so real, you will mourn them when the book is finished; the writing is stunning and evocative, high observant and shockingly funny in places.  Best of all, this book features what might very well be my favorite plot-twist/surprise ending in all of fiction.  Please read this book so I have someone with whom to discuss it.

Dracula: The un-dead: This is something of a troublesome book to recommend.  On the one hand, it was written by Dacre Stoker, Bram Stoker’s great-grandnephew from notes Stoker made before his death.  And there are some moments in this book that are breath-takiningly beautiful (Dracula’s return to Whitby Abbey remains one of my favorites).  The book also gives Mina an very healthy amount of credit for being a strong, smart, and I judge every Dracula pastiche by how they treat Mina.  But, on the other hand, this book in no way lives up to the original text, and it is so self-referential that it often feels like a parody of sorts more than a ‘sequel’.  Nevertheless, it’s worth checking out, especially for genuinely passionate readers who want some idea about Stoker’s thoughts for his characters following their defeat of Dracula in Romania.

Anno-Dracula: Film scholar Kim Newman combines a terrific eye for detail with a ripping good yarn that features some of the most well-known characters from 19th-century literature.  In this strange, alternative-history, the Ripper walks the gas-lit streets, news boys hawk the latest scandals on every street corner…and Queen Victoria has remarried Vlad Tepes, turning the British Empire into a place at once familiar to readers and yet infinitely strange and dangerous.  The vast cast of characters, both borrowed and created by Newman, are wonderfully fun, though slow in places, this is an adventure that fans of Victorian literature need to check out, if only for the vast number of inside jokes that feature into each scene.

‘Salem’s Lot: This is another book that I adore, sing songs of happiness regarding it, and foist on unsuspecting friends and family on a regular basis.  According to Stephen King, the inspiration for this novel came from a conversation he had with his wife, Tabitha, regarding what would happen if Dracula returned, this time in the United States.  Though King thought he would get hit by a New York City cab instantly, he started wondering what would happen if he showed up in a small Maine town…and the rest is history.  This is Stephen King as his lyrical best, and while this book is plenty scary (my dad and I both have stories about how different scenes in this book kept us up at night), King’s descriptions of the town of ‘Salem’s Lot, and especially his descriptions of the change of seasons that we see here in New England are so stunning, it is worth reading this book for those passages alone.

The Historian: Elizabeth Kostova’s best known work takes readers on an overwhelmingly picturesque journey through Eastern Europe, as a daughter hunts for the terrible secret of her mother’s long-ago disappearance, a secret that may be tied to the real-life Vlad Tepes himself.  Though this isn’t my favorite of all Dracula-related novels, the travel descriptions in this book are hauntingly beautiful, and there are some wonderfully atmospheric details that make this search as chilling as it is historically engaging.  Also, as silly as it might sound, this book has some of the best descriptions of food I have ever come across.  If you do check out this book, be sure to read it with a snack close at hand.

We hope you enjoy our selection!  Check back for an all-new If/Then next Thursday.

Fans of the phenomenal show “Ripper Street” have enjoyed quite a healthy dose of drama over the past year, and not merely the ones on-screen…After the BBC cancelled the show after two seasons, the outcry from viewers got so loud that Amazon decided to pick up the show for a single season, streaming it to Amazon Prime members and broadcasting the show on BBC America.  But after that one season, fans were still left wondering if they had seen the last of the gallant and bowler-hatted heroes of H Division.  But yesterday morning, the news broke across the Internet: Amazon has renewed Ripper Street for TWO more seasons!

Set in London’s notorious East End in the months following the disappearance of Jack the Ripper, Ripper Street follows the detectives of H Division (a branch of London’s Metropolitan Police) who chased–and eventually lost–the Ripper.  Though the cases they deal with are fictional, the joy of Ripper Street lies in its attention to detail and love of history.  In fact, Edmund Reid, the hero of the series, was indeed a real police detective who chased Jack the Ripper.  The costumes are authentic in their color, texture, and fit (and their griminess), and the language of the characters is spot-on authentic.  And while the threat of ‘The Ripper’, and his potential return, looms large, particularly in the first season of the show, it is really about the men of H Division and the world they inhabit; a world that is as real as our own, and yet so wonderfully different that you simply can’t help but want to explore more and more.

Those of you who have shared your TV favorites at the Circulation Desk may have heard your friendly Blogger here waxing rhapsodical about Ripper Street–the marvelous plot lines, the gritty and quirky historic details…and the plaid waistcoats.  It’s impossible not to love the waistcoats.  And Homer Jackson (just watch it, and you’ll understand, I promise….).  So this turn of events was personally welcomed with loud cheers.

For those of you who haven’t yet witnessed the delights of Ripper Street, come to the library and request a copy of Season 1 and Season 2 for yourself.   Season 3 is also on order!  And for those of you who find yourself counting the days until Season 4 (probably sometime next year), here’s a list of books and shows to help you pass the time.

If you like Ripper Street, Then be sure to check out:

Copper: Another stellar historic police drama from the BBC, this time featuring Irish-American cop Kevin Corcoran in 1860’s New York City.  Much like Ripper Street, while the mysteries at the heart of each episode are fascinating, it is the intense character relationships and the personal journey of the troubled hero that will keep watchers glued to this series.  Season Two  is also available for those who can’t get enough.

The Yard: Alex Grecian’s historic mystery series begins with a very similar premise to Ripper Street–facing personal and professional contempt for failing to catch the Jack the Ripper, Walter Day, a member of the London Metropolitan Police’s “Murder Squad” partners with Dr. Nevil Hammersmith, Scotland Yard’s first forensic pathologist, to track down a murderer who is hunting police officers.  Grecian delights in his time period, and does a sensational job bringing it to life.  Walter Day is an empathetic hero whose own personal journey–and whose troubled partnership with Hammersmith– gives this dark and atmospheric series a human touch.  Fans will be pleased to know the library has all four books in this series in print and audiobook form.

The Alienist: An undisputed classic of historic fiction, Caleb Carr’s first novel is a must-read for all fans of murder, mayhem, and marvelous historic details.  Set in 1896 New York, this book features some of the most prominent historical figures of the day, including Police Commissioner Teddy Roosevelt and his delightfully chaotic family.  When a mystery surfaces that flummoxes even the most dedicated detectives, Roosevelt enlists the help of Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, an early psychological profiler, and journalist John Schuyler Moore, to investigate.  This is a fast-paced mystery, but also offers readers the chance to stroll the streets of historic New York, and emerge with a wealth of facts and understanding that Carr effortlessly works into his plot.

Dust and Shadow: An Account of the Ripper Killings by Dr. John H. Watson: In this intricate and thoughtful debut novel, Lyndsay Faye brings together two of the most famous, and infamous faces in Victorian England–Jack the Ripper and Sherlock Holmes.  But when Holmes himself is wounded in his hunt for The Ripper, he suddenly finds himself on the defensive, and forced to break every rule he has followed his entire career to bring his quarry to justice.  Faye’s book is a credit to the Holmes canon, and the sensory details of this series makes the gaslit world of the East End feel frighteningly real.  Faye’s other series, which begins with The Gods of Gotham, is set in 1846 New York, and is also definitely worth checking out, especially if you enjoy Copper.

Whitechapel: The Ripper Returns: It seems pretty fair to say that the BBC has a bit of a Ripper obsession, but this modern crime drama is easily among its best series.  Set (and filmed) in the twisted, shadowy streets of London’s modern-day East End, this story features the hunt for a killer who is following the Rippers’ known crimes precisely, and the police and historians who are desperate trying to stop him before he finishes the Ripper’s work–and disappears.  This series is blisteringly fast-paced, and even though history has laid out what is to come, it’s simply impossible to turn away from this show until the final, climactic chase unfolds.

We hope you enjoy our first If/Then post!  Keep an eye out for more similar posts coming soon!