Humphrey Carpenter
The worst book was Hotel du Lac by Anita Brookner. While no one can't help admir- ing the skill with which a distinguished art historian has constructed an elegant parody of the English novel, it was really a very naughty prank to foist it on the literary world in the pretence that it was a serious piece of work. No wonder she looked embarrassed at winning the prize.
The best book this year, as ever, was of course, The Oxford University Pocket Diary, a witty compendium guaranteed to while away any traffic jam. The section on University Officers alone is splendid in its mock-Homerics (' High Steward: The Rt Hon Lord Wilberforce, CMG, OBE, MA, Hon DCL, Fellow of All Souls . . . Secretary of Faculties: Vacant'), while later passages opt for the romantic mode: 'The Parks gates will be closed approximately at sunset, the Lady Margaret Hall Gate being the first and the North Lodge gate the last to be closed. These times are subject to alteration at the discretion of the Cura- tors.' Who can afford to be without it?
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