We come into the quarterfinals
and this particular match-up is one for which my choice is foreordained. James is the best book of 2024, end of discussion. And yet I suppose I should discuss.
Headshot certainly has its fans, but while it has aspects I can admire, it didn’t manage to continually suprise and amaze in the way that James did.
Meanwhile in the alternate universe…
James still reigns supreme. The Book of Love is a fine book and it amazes and surprises, but nowhere near as much as James does.
My judgment on the judgment
So would Stephen Kearse manage to show me something new about Headshot or James when I got to reading his judgment? After all, with all the books in the lineup this year, James stands so far above the others, I would question the sanity and/or taste of any judge who doesn’t advance it, so it shouldn’t be a contest.
And it wasn’t. Kearse reminded me of some of the things about Headshot that I did enjoy, but in the end, none of Headshot’s strengths were enough to displace James which continues to advance in the rounds.
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