Hard as it may seem to credit, it’s already nearly time for the announcement of The Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist: Wednesday, 10th March is the date to add to your jam-packed diary. Only novels written by women in English published between April 1st 2020 and March 31st 2021 qualify. Over the past few years I’ve failed miserably in predicting what took the judges’ fancy but truth be told I’d much prefer to indulge myself with a fantasy list than speculate as to what they might think. What follows, then, is entirely subjective, wishes rather than predictions. I’ve followed the same format as previous years, limiting myself to novels that I’ve read. So, in no particular order here’s my wish list for the 2021 Women’s Prize for Fiction, all with links to my reviews.
The Liar’s Dictionary The Harpy How Much of These Hills is Gold
Monogamy Exciting Times Luckenbooth
Asylum Road Mrs Death Misses Death Consent
Nightshift Scabby Queen A Net for Small Fishes
Silence is a Sense Harvest His Only Wife
As usual, several of the novels above appear more in hope than expectation but I’d be delighted if any one of these fifteen snags the judges’ attention. Fingers firmly crossed. Any titles that you’d love to see on the judges’ list?
If you’d like to see another blogger’s list, Bookish Beck’s is here. She’s more in the business of predictions than me.
Sad to say, I’ve read absolutely none of these wonderful books, although I’m familiar with several through blogs (thanks for some great reviews BTW) and commercial sources (I will say that several are physically present on my shelf or my TBR). I was pleased to see you include Sue Miller, a fine novelist who doesn’t seem (IMO at least) to get quite the attention she deserves these days.
Thank you, and I agree, absolutely, about Sue Miller. I’m a long time fan and I’d say this is one of her best.
I’ve only read three of these (and have another 3-4 on my TBR pile). Of the ones I read, Asylum Road gets my vote.
One of the others must be Exciting Times but, of course, I now need to know which the third is…
Another reminder that I really need to read The Harpy! I’d love to see The Liar’s Dictionary on the list, I really loved it.
Wasn’t it wonderful! I’m sure you’d love The Harpy, Cathy
I haven’t read any of these, although they all sound like reasonable suggestions. I have How Much of These Hills is Gold in my TBR so it would be wonderful if that made the list because it might encourage me to get round to reading it.
Oh, you should, Cathy. Such an unusual premise, beautifully executed.
The Harpy – started off well, but…
It made quite an impression on me, as did her first novel which took me by surprise given it’s a slice of dystopia.
The cover of Nightshift is very enticing. I wasn’t that taken with His Only Wife.
It fits the novel well. I hadn’t expected to enjoy His Only Wife as much as I did.
Interesting selection. I have read none of these but :Luckenbooth seems very appealing…
Luckenbooth is a wonderful slice of Scottish feminist Gothic which I’m pretty sure isn’t a genre but ought to be!
I am always interested in the Women’s Prize, but haven’t read any of those you have highlighted. Several of them have been on my radar though. I look forward to the long list.
It’s my favourite prize. I doubt many of these will turn up on the long list but I’m sure it will be an interesting one.
Thanks for the link, Susan! We overlapped on three of our choices. I very nearly picked the Zhang, but selected a different Western instead (Outlawed by Anna North). Although I loved Monogamy, I somehow felt that it was too conventional for the WP list. I just picked up a copy of A Net for Small Fishes from the library today and will start it tonight.
We shall see next week…
I’m keen to get as much exposure for Monogamy as I can! Hope you enjoy A Net for Small Fishes.
The only one I’ve read here is How Much of These Hills is Gold but I would be very happy to see that on the longlist.
One of those rare truly original novels!
I haven’t read any of these either, but The Liar’s Dictionary really appeals – I’d be very surprised if it doesn’t make the list.
Fingers crossed, Jacqui. Such an enjoyable book.
Many of these are on my reading list because of your reviews, so it looks like a good list to me! And I’m happy to see Consent there. Monogamy as well, since I’m soon going to be reading it!
So pleased you put me on go Consent. Fingers crossed a few of these make it onto next week’s list.
It must be such fun to have company on a project like this, to see how your guesses match and diverge!
As it turned out, two of my wishes came true and I’m delighted one of them was Consent!