The Women's Prize for Fiction 2021 longlist has officially been announced: (December 5, 2024)

The Women’s Prize for Fiction 2021 longlist has officially been announced

RC Verma

  • Marie Claire is supported by her audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

  • There’s nothing better than a good book, so the saying goes. And in times of uncertainty, we often find relaxation in escaping our own lives and delving into somebody else’s.

    This has never been more true than in 2020 and 2021, tough years in which getting some time to ourselves for a good read has never been more important or restorative.

    But what are the best books to read this year? Well, luckily, The Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist has just been announced, providing us with 16 must reads for the year ahead.

    ‘We read so many brilliant novels for this year’s prize and had an energetic judging session where we discussed our passions, opinions and preferences,’ explained Bernadine Evaristo, acclaimed novelist and Chair of judges. ‘Sadly, we had to let some very deserving books go but we’re confident that we have chosen sixteen standout novels that represent a truly wide and varied range of fiction by women that reflects multiple perspectives, narrative styles and preoccupations. These novels fascinated, moved, inspired and challenged us and we’re excited at announcing their inclusion on the Women’s Prize longlist. ‘

    Here is the Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist…

    1. Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller

    2. Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

    Women's prize for fiction 2021 longlist

    3. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

    Women's prize for fiction 2021 longlist

    4. The Golden Rule by Amanda Craig

    Women's prize for fiction 2021 longlist

    5. Summer by Ali Smith

    Women's prize for fiction 2021 longlist

    6. Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers

    Women's prize for fiction 2021 longlist

    7. Nothing but blue sky by Kathleen MacMahon

    Women's prize for fiction 2021 longlist

    8. No one is talking about this by Patricia Lockwood

    Women's prize for fiction 2021 longlist

    9. Luster by Raven Leilani

    Women's prize for fiction 2021 longlist

    10. How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House by Cherie Jones

    Women's prize for fiction 2021 longlist

    11. Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan

    Women's prize for fiction 2021 longlist

    12. Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters

    Women's prize for fiction 2021 longlist

    13. Consent by Annabel Lyon

    Women's prize for fiction 2021 longlist

    14. Burnt Sugar by Avni Doshi

    Women's prize for fiction 2021 longlist

    15. Because of You by Dawn French

    Women's prize for fiction 2021 longlist

    16. Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

    Women's prize for fiction 2021 longlist

    Joining Bernadine Evaristo on the judging panel are Elizabeth Day, Vick Hope, Nesrine Malik and Sarah-Jane Mee, whose job is now to narrow the list down to a shortlist of just six novels.

    The shortlist of six novels will be released on April 28th, and the 25th winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction will be announced on Wednesday 7th July.

    Congratulations to all sixteen of the longlisted authors!

    Leave a Comment