Booker Prize 2026 · Audiobook Review
Written by Gwendoline Riley · Narrated by Nathalie Buscombe
The Palm House by Gwendoline Riley, narrated by Nathalie Buscombe, is a short, beautifully observed novel about friendship, disappointment and the small consolations that make life bearable.
Longlisted for the 2026 Booker Prize, it isn’t a book in which very much happens — and yet I found myself completely drawn into Riley’s world. Beautifully written, superbly narrated, and at just under five hours, delightfully unwaffly.
The Story
Laura and Edmund Putnam have been friends for years, their relationship sustained by long conversations, shared memories and evenings in an old pub by the Thames. Putnam is struggling after the death of his father and upheaval at the magazine to which he has devoted much of his life, while Laura has problems of her own.
This isn’t a novel driven by twists or great dramatic events. Its pleasures are quieter: friendship, conversation, memory and Riley’s wonderfully precise observations of people.
Despite some distinctly uncomfortable moments, I found something unexpectedly comforting about it. It had the feeling of a warm blanket — a small, intimate novel whose characters I was quite happy simply to spend time with.
The Narrator
Nathalie Buscombe is superb.
This is exactly the sort of novel where narration matters. So much depends on conversation, tone and the small shifts in feeling between characters, and Buscombe handles them beautifully.
Nothing feels overperformed. She allows Riley’s dry humour and sharp observations to do their work, while giving Laura and Putnam enough individuality to make their friendship convincing.
For me, the narration didn’t merely accompany the writing — it suited it perfectly.
The Waffleometer
At just under five hours, The Palm House doesn’t hang around — but more importantly, it doesn’t feel as though it does.
Riley’s writing is precise and economical. There are conversations, memories and observations that could easily have become indulgent in another writer’s hands, but here they earn their place.
Very little waffle indeed.
Scores
Story & Writing: 4.5 / 5
Narration: 5 / 5
Waffleometer: 1 / 5
One of the strongest combinations of writing and narration I’ve encountered on the Booker longlist so far. Nathalie Buscombe gets a perfect score, while the Waffleometer barely troubles the needle.
The Verdict
The Palm House was one of the loveliest surprises of the Booker longlist for me.
It’s quiet, beautifully written and sometimes uncomfortable, but there’s also something wonderfully reassuring about spending time with these characters. I described it while listening as having the feeling of a warm blanket, and I still think that’s the best way I can put it.
Nathalie Buscombe’s superb narration makes an already very good novel even better, and at under five hours it never outstays its welcome.
It may not shout for attention, but it doesn’t need to.
Beautiful writing, superb narration and almost no waffle. What’s not to like?