It's been such a pleasure following the Women's Prize season this year especially since they created a new Non-Fiction award alongside the Fiction Prize. It pushed me to read some fascinating memoirs, extended essays and historical examinations such as “How to Say Babylon”, “Thunderclap”, “A Flat Place” and “Doppelganger” which I probably wouldn't have got around to reading otherwise. So many books listed for the fiction prize were very good and some were excellent. I was especially glad to read the longlisted titles “In Defence of the Act”, “Ordinary Human Failings” and “Nightbloom”. And it was great to see a favourite that I read last year “Western Lane” nominated for another award. The fiction shortlisted books were all of high quality so it's nice to feel in the lead up to the ceremony that I'd be glad to see any of the nominated books win.
I was absolutely delighted to be invited to the award ceremony and made a vlog about the experience. Though it was a bit drizzly at this outdoor party there was still a great atmosphere. My favourites to win were “Enter Ghost” and “A Flat Place” but I'm also a big fan of the winning books “Brotherless Night” and “Doppelganger”. The speeches that V.V. Ganeshananthan and Naomi Klein gave were very impassioned and moving. Both books tell very specific stories that also say much more about larger social and political issues in the world today. It's been wonderful discussing all the nominated books this year with my friend Anna and readers online.
What do you think of the winners? Did you favourites win?
