LONDON — The Women’s Prize for Nonfiction, founded to address gender disparities in nonfiction literature, has shortlisted six compelling books for this year’s award. Among the finalists are a poignant memoir by Swedish artist Neneh Cherry and an absorbing account of a heart transplant by British physician Rachel Clarke.
Cherry’s memoir, “A Thousand Threads,” alongside Clarke’s “The Story of a Heart,” are competing for the £30,000 ($39,000) prize. Additionally, two books focusing on nature and the environment, Chloe Dalton’s “Raising Hare” and Helen Scales’ “What the Wild Sea Can Be,” have earned their spots on the shortlist as well.
Bringing a historical perspective, Clare Mulley’s “Agent Zo” delves into the life of a World War II resistance fighter. Meanwhile, “Private Revolutions” by Yuan Yang, who was born in China and now is a British lawmaker, sheds light on the experiences of young women navigating contemporary China.
Chairing the judging panel, British journalist Kavita Puri described the selection as “eclectic,” celebrating “narratives that honor the natural world and its connection to humanity.” The chosen works include rigorously researched accounts of women confronting power structures and books that adeptly clarify intricate subjects with finesse and creativity.
This nonfiction accolade complements the esteemed Women’s Prize for Fiction, celebrating its 30th anniversary. It invites female authors from any country who write in English within any nonfiction genre. The award emerged last year, highlighting the statistical gender imbalance in nonfiction writing and reading, with reports showing men dominate in both categories in the UK.
A study by Nielsen Book Research in 2019 revealed that while women purchased 59% of total books sold in the UK, men’s purchases made up just over half of all adult nonfiction. Last year’s inaugural Women’s Prize for Nonfiction was awarded to Canadian author-activist Naomi Klein for “Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World.”
Winners of both the nonfiction and fiction categories will be declared on June 12 during a ceremony in London.