LONDON — Noteworthy American authors Elizabeth Strout and Miranda July have been named among the finalists for the prestigious Women’s Prize for Fiction, unveiled on Wednesday. Joining them are four debut novelists whose narratives delve into the quest for freedom across a spectrum of countries and cultures.
Elizabeth Strout, a recipient of the Pulitzer Prize, is in contention with her mystery novel “Tell Me Everything,” set against a Maine backdrop. Miranda July, known for her dual work as a writer and filmmaker, is recognized for “All Fours,” which follows the journey of a “semi-famous artist” in search of a fresh start. The Women’s Prize, valued at 30,000 pounds (about $39,000), accepts entries from female authors writing in English from anywhere in the world.
The competition also showcases Dutch author Yael van der Wouden with her postwar tale “The Safekeep” and German-born poet Aria Aber’s novel “Good Girl,” which examines a teenager’s exploration of her dual German-Afghan identity.
Adding to the lineup is “The Persians,” an intergenerational family saga by Iran-born writer Sanam Mahloudji, and Britain’s Nussaibah Younis with “Fundamentally,” a story centered on an academic’s endeavor to rehabilitate women entangled with the Islamic State group.
Kit de Waal chairs the judging panel and remarked that these six novels are “classics of the future,” highlighting their exploration of the “importance of human connection.” She noted the “surprising and refreshing” use of “humor, nuance, and lightness” by these writers to illuminate complex themes.
Since its inception in 1996, the Women’s Prize for Fiction has recognized prominent authors such as Zadie Smith, Tayari Jones, and Barbara Kingsolver as its winners.
In an effort to address gender disparities in the literary world, organizers introduced an accompanying Women’s Prize for Nonfiction last year. This initiative responds to the statistic that only 26.5% of nonfiction books reviewed in British newspapers in 2022 were authored by women, with established nonfiction prizes still predominantly awarded to men.
The winners of both the fiction and nonfiction prizes for this year will be revealed during a ceremony in London on June 12.