It’s almost longlist time for the Women’s Prize for Fiction although it hardly seems five minutes since the last one. Wednesday March 4th is the date to add your diary. Only novels written by women in English published between April 1st, 2025, and March 31st, 2026, qualify. I’ve followed the same format as previous years, limiting myself to novels I’ve read and indulging in a fantasy list rather than predicting the judges’ choices. So, in no particular order, here’s my wish list for the 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction all with links to my reviews.
Days of Light What a Time to Be Alive The Book of Guilt
Ripeness Thirst Trap The Benefactors
Pick a Colour The Silver Book A Private Man
As usual, several of the novels above appear more in hope than expectation but I’d be delighted if any one of these eleven snags the judges’ attention. Fingers particularly firmly crossed for The Benefactors and The Silver Book.
Any titles that you’d like to see on the judges’ list?
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The Benefactors was so good! Several others above I’d love to read, but only the Chidgey is already on my shelves. (BTW, loving Lost Lambs at the mo)
I would love it if The Benefactors made it on to the list. Good chance, I think. Pleased to hear you’re loving Lost Lambs. I know lots of people love that cover but it put me off for ages!
Count me as a fan too. It was nominated for the Gordon Burn Prize though *pout* it didn’t win.
Plus, I’ve loved everything I’ve ever read by Chidgey.
Judges’ choices are often mystifyingly but I suppose that’s decision by committee for you!
I just can’t get on with The Benefactors. There are so many characters, and every time one pops up again I have to remind myself who s/he is, and to whom s/he is connected. It’s so well-recommended, not least by you, that the loss is clearly mine. Similarly, with the Jenny Mustard. Although I recognised that period of my life – so well re-imagined, I never really engaged fully with it. Pick a Colour also failed to land with me. Yet you are the reviewer to whom I always turn for reliable recommendations! Never mind. With The Silver Book, I was swept up by this tale of heady, imaginative creativity and its cast of imperfect visionaries. So that can go on the longlist! Now to try the rest and see if I disagree with you there too.
Oh, no! I’m worried I’ll be shown the door at that rate. I didn’t feel The Silver Book got as much attention as it deserved. It’s often the case that brilliant non-fiction writers lard their fiction with too much research but Laing dodged that.
I thought so too. Nope, you won’t get shown the door. When I don’t share your enthusiasms, I know it’s me who’s missing the point.
I’m sure that’s not the case. Always happy to agree to differ.
I’ve only read one on your list – Days of Light – but I’m half way through A Private Man although, to be honest, I’m waiting for it to deliver the something you clearly saw in it.
With my historical fiction hat on I’d suggest Helm by Sarah Hall. It’s on at least three other longlist/shortlists already.
I’ve not read Helm but I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see it on the list. A Private Man isn’t without flaws but, for me, it was such an interesting story, not least as it’s based on her family history.
I’ve decided to quit following this prize as it has disappointed me so much in previous years but, looking at the Goodreads list of eligible titles, I’d love to see Aisling Rawle’s The Compound and Yrsa Daley-Ward’s The Catch. Of the ones I’ve not read, I just picked up Madeleine Gray’s (she must get very annoyed having two names with such common variants) Chosen Family after you featured it, so it would be nice to see that on the list!
Of yours, I’ve read Ripeness, Pick A Colour and The Book of Guilt – none blew me away enough for me to back them but I’m sure all are better than some of the bad choices the judges will inevitably make!
I’m quite disenchanted by the prize, myself, but still hope it might turn itself around. I used to read everything on the shortlist but haven’t done that for some time. I hope you enjoy Chosen Family. Not on my wish list but I wouldn’t be sorry if the judges picked it out.
I’ve enjoyed Megan Hunter previously so Days of Light is very appealing. I’ve only read Pick a Colour from your list which I really liked. I have The Silver Book in the TBR after reading your review so I need to get to it!
It’s a little different from her previous writing but I think you’ll like it, and I’m glad Pick a Colour hit the spot. The Silver Book’s a tough read at times but worth it.
I am keeping all crossed for The Benefactors which I loved. I have copies of The Silver Book, Days of Light and The Book of Guilt, so I might try to get to a few of those once I get my Ireland Month reading up to date!
Me, too, for the Erskine. She deserves it!
Your list will no doubt be preferable to whatever does get longlisted! I’ve read the Hunter, Laing and Moss from your picks; I’m currently reading the Thammavongsa, and I’m awaiting a copy of The Benefactors plus a library hold on Almost Life. Like you, I’d love to see Laing do well, but I fear she’s too high-brow for a prize that seems quite populist at times (and always honouring the same names). I’d also love to see Endling by Maria Reva go far.
It has become quite disappointing, hasn’t it. The Laing is quite something and surely deserves recognition. I’ll keep an eye out for Endling.
Well, you got one right! (I think that’s par for the course?)
It is, but I’m delighted that it’s one of those I was particularly rooting for.
Of your picks, I’ve read Days of Light, Ripeness, and The Silver Book, and all deserve recognition. Like you and Laura, I’ve gone off following the WP as intently as I used to, though it can throw up some interesting stuff and I still try to get round to the winners. Its recent turn towards the commercial (and towards débuts) is tiresome, though. Of other eligible titles, I’d be happy to see Rebecca Perry’s May We Feed the King and Eliana Ramage’s To the Moon and Back, and I think Jessica Stanley’s Consider Yourself Kissed has a non-zero chance too.
I’ve read the Ramage but not the other two both of which sound well worth considering. I’m not quite sure when I fell out of love with this prize. Along with the much missed Whitbread, I used to really look forward to the judges’ choices.
Oh yes, the Whitbread! That disappeared – or was renamed?
It’s the Nero now but doesn’t have nearly the same profile, sadly.
No, absolutely. When it was the Costa, it did still have quite a high profile, but the commercial tilt was definitely there too.
I think Costa were owned by Whitbread hence the profile but you’re right about that tilt.
Great selection.I read Ripeness recently and enjoyed it although I thought it wasn’t as strong as a couple of her previous books. I have The Benefactors lined up for next couple of weeks. Would love to read The Silver Book and Pick a Colour. Others that might pop up – The Names, The Artist, Scaffolding, Elegy, Southwest. If they fit the timeline criteria.
Thanks, Lucy. I hope you enjoy The Benefactors when you get to it. I think The Names qualifies so could well be picked up.
I am sure you have read the Women’s Prize longlist and seen that only The Benefactors made the cut! Not sure how this whole prize process works but I think a few of the books mentioned in the discussion here on your blog warranted a look-in!
Thanks, Lucy! I think decision by committee is the answer but I couldn’t be more pleased to see The Benefactors on the list.
Your list sounds fab: I’d happily adopt. However, I would also like to see Maria Reva’s Endling be recognised. Such a smart, funny, defiantly uncategorisable novel.
Thank you! That’s the second mention of Endling on here. Rebecca recommended it, too.
I hope The Book of Guilt is longlisted too.
I think that might be in the reasonable chance category rather than a no-hoper. We’ll see on Wednesday.
Great list! I’m crossing my fingers for Days of Light, The Book of Guilt, and Ripeness. I also hope that Madeline Thien’s The Book of Records gets longlisted.
Thank you! I would think the Thien stands a good chance but we’ll find out tomorrow.