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Women’s Prize for Fiction 2021 longlist: The inspiring books to read

The award champions female voices in literature from around the world

Eva Waite-Taylor
Wednesday 10 March 2021 17:41 GMT
Included are six dazzling debuts and a previous winner
Included are six dazzling debuts and a previous winner (The Independent)
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Reading a truly remarkable novel can be a wonderful way to pass the time – transporting you far and wide, putting you in other people’s shoes and sparking emotion.

If your reading list is in a fallow period, the announcement of the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2021 longlist will hopefully provide the inspiration you need.

Read more: What the IndyBest team have been reading and loving in lockdown

Founded in 1996, it’s one of the UK’s most prestigious literary awards, showcasing the remarkable originality, accessibility and excellence of novels written by women from around the world. So the longlist offers an exciting opportunity to discover a range of ambitious and outstanding literature.

The 16 books on the longlist are novels written by women and published in the UK between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021, and were selected by a panel of five judges: Bernardine Evaristo (chair of the judges), novelist; Elizabeth Day, podcaster, author and journalist; Vick Hope, TV and radio presenter, journalist and writer; Nesrine Malik, print columnist and writer; and Sarah-Jane Mee, news presenter and broadcaster.

Included on the list are six dazzling debut novels, as well as a previously longlisted author and one former winner who has also been shortlisted twice before (Ali Smith).

Speaking about the longlist, Evaristo said: “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.”

In order to reach the collection of 16 standout novels, the judges inevitably had to let some “very deserving books go”, but the final list represents a “truly wide and varied range of fiction by women that reflects multiple perspectives, narrative styles and preoccupations,” Evaristo said.

Read more: The Jhalak Prize 2021 longlist books you need to read

It’s fiction’s unique ability to take us on a journey through time and space to new, unchartered territories that makes it constantly exciting. But, while publishing has become increasingly more inclusive, there’s a continued need for greater access to a range of novelist's voices. As such, the Women’s Prize for Fiction remains as important today as when it was first launched.

In honour of the announcement, we’ve taken a look at the whole longlist. Join us in celebrating, championing and supporting female writers from across the globe by adding these books to your “to-read” pile now.

You can trust our independent round-ups. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.

'The Vanishing Half’ by Brit Bennett, published by Dialogue Books

vanish-half-by-brit-bennett-published-by-little-brown-indybest-womens-prize-for-fiction.jpg

One of the most hotly anticipated books of last year, Vanishing Half spans the 1950s to the 1990s, from the Deep South to California. It’s deftly woven plot follows two twin sisters who take very different paths. Compelling and utterly original, Bennett explores questions of racism as well as expectations, lies, love and compassion. We are sure that this tale will stay with you long after you’ve put it down. Make sure you finish it before the TV series is aired, as HBO snapped it up after a 17-way auction – we told you it was a good’un.

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'Exciting Times' by Naoise Dolan, published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson

Exciting-Times-Naoise-Dolan-womens-prize-for-fiction-indybest.jpg

Set in Hong Kong, this sharp, witty and ultimately moving debut from Irish author Naoise Dolan explores a love triangle. Newly arrived 22-year-old English teacher Ava finds herself caught between the financial security of a non-committal banker and an alluring lawyer. Examining class and sex, Dolan brings fresh insights on modern love that will inevitably make this a hit among those who love a coming-of-age novel.

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'How The One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House’ by Cherie Jones, published by Tinder Press

How-the-One-Armed-Cherie-Jones-indybest-womens-prize-for-fiction.jpg

Set in Barbados, where poverty and misogyny exist under the surface, this remarkable debut from Jones focuses on the life of four women, each of whom is eager to escape the legacy of violence in a so-called “paradise”. Tackling themes of poverty, domestic abuse, drug trafficking and mother-daughter relationships with eloquence, Jones is a new voice to pay attention to.

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