The Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction is the UK’s most prestigious annual book award for fiction written by women. The award, which was established in 1996, celebrates and supports fiction by women and accepts entrances from any woman whatever her nationality, country of residence or age.
This is the prize's 22nd year, and on the judging panel this time is CEO of House Productions, Tessa Ross (chair), broadcaster and presenter, Katie Derham, novelist and essayist, Aminatta Forna, journalist and co-founder of The Pool, Sam Baker, and comic and author, Sara Pascoe.
The longlist - which was announced on International Women's Day - featured 16 entries from six nationalities: UK, Ireland, America, Canada, South Africa and Nigeria.
Today, the shortlist has been announced. It features six novels the judges feel were exceptionally original and compelling. See the shortlisted entries below.
Do Not Say We Have Nothing - Madeleine Thien
Madeleine is a Canadian writer and Do Not Say We Have Nothing is her 3rd novel.
First Love - Gwendoline Riley
Gwendoline is a British writer and First Love is her 6th novel.
Stay With Me - Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀̀
Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ is a Nigerian writer and Stay With Me is her first novel.
The Dark Circle - Linda Grant
Linda Grant is British writer and The Dark Circle is her 6th novel. She won the prize back in 2000 with her novel When I Lived in Modern Times.
The Power - Naomi Alderman
Naomi Alderman is a British writer and The Power is her 4th novel.
The Sport of Kings - C.E. Morgan
C.E. Morgan is an American writer and The Sport of Kings is her 2nd novel.
'It has been a great privilege to Chair the Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction in a year which has proved exceptional for writing of both quality and originality,' said Tessa Ross. 'It was therefore quite a challenge to whittle this fantastic longlist of 16 books down to only six.
'From Kentucky in the 19th century to a dystopian future to a post-war sanatorium in the English countryside to 1980s Nigeria, the shortlist celebrates narratives that are daring and intimate, that examine the depth of human experience in unique and compelling ways.
'We were both impressed and moved by memorable characters from a young woman fleeing her home in China to a writer coming to terms with her failing marriage. These were the six novels that stayed with all of us well beyond the final page.'
The shortlist readings will take place on June 5th, and the winner will be announced at the awards ceremony in London on June 7th.
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