Women's Prize for Fiction 2023 - Shortlist Reading Guides

The Women’s Prize for Fiction is the greatest international celebration of women’s creativity. Now in its twenty-eighth year, the Prize shines a spotlight on outstanding, ambitious, original fiction written in English by women from anywhere in the world. The 2023 shortlist was announced 26 April. The winner will be announced on 14 June.

The Women’s Prize Trust is the registered charity behind the Women’s Prize for Fiction. The Trust supports all readers, prioritising access to and engagement with books by women for those who need them most, in order to increase empathy, expand imaginations and empower connection.

Half of this year’s list – described as ‘ambitious, eclectic and hard-hitting’ – is made up of first-time novelists. Debuts by Louise Kennedy, Jacqueline Crooks and Priscilla Morris appear alongside novels by international bestselling writers Maggie O’Farrell and Barbara Kingsolver, both of whom have previously won this prestigious Prize. Former Women’s Prize shortlistee Laline Paull is also selected for the second time.

The diverse selection is unified by several overlapping themes, including civil unrest; the warring realms of the personal and the political; the solace of art and creativity; and doomed love.

For more information, visit the Women’s Prize for Fiction website, or join in the conversation on social media using womensprize, readingagency and #WomensPrize.