April 26, 2023, 10:58am
Across the pond this morning, the good people at the Women’s Prize for Fiction—one of the literary world’s most high-profile and prestigious awards—announced the 2023 shortlist, which includes both former winners and three first-time novelists.
This year’s shortlist was selected by a judging panel made up of broadcaster and writer Louise Minchin; novelist Rachel Joyce; journalist, podcaster and writer Bella Mackie; novelist and short story writer Irenosen Okojie; and Member of Parliament Tulip Siddiq. Here’s the list:
Black Butterflies by Priscilla Morris
Pod by Laline Paull
Fire Rush by Jacqueline Crooks
Trespasses by Louise Kennedy
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Chair of judges Louise Minchin said of the shortlist: ‘This is an exquisite set of ambitious, diverse, thoughtful, hard-hitting and emotionally engaging novels. A glittering showcase of the power of women’s writing. My fellow judges and I feel it has been a huge privilege to read these novels, and we are delighted to be part of their journey, bringing them to the attention of more readers from across the world.”
Former winners of the £30,000 prize (previously called the Orange Prize for Fiction and the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction) include Ann Patchett (2002), Zadie Smith (2006), Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2007), Marilynne Robinson (2009), Téa Obreht (2011), Madeline Miller (2012), and Maggie O’Farrell (2020).
This year’s winner will be announced at a ceremony in London on June 14.