Is this the Real Life?

This episode of "Paper Cuts" features a panel discussion among Karen Dass, Louisa Cossa, and Jenna Todd, focusing on recent literary award winners and book reviews. The panel highlights Douglas Stewart's "Shuggie Bain," winner of the Booker Prize, praising its authentic portrayal of a mother-son relationship amidst working-class struggles in 1980s Glasgow. Brandon Taylor's "Real Life," shortlisted for the Booker, is also reviewed, emphasizing its nuanced exploration of race, class, and sexuality within the setting of a Midwestern university. The hosts also discuss Sayaka Murata's "Earthlings," a novel with dark themes, and celebrate the resurgence of local magazines in Aotearoa/New Zealand, including Metro and North and South.