The 2023 shortlist for The Women's Prize for Fiction is here. The greatest international celebration of women's creativity, this year's shortlist sees debut authors go head to head with former winners. 

Described as ‘ambitious, eclectic and hard-hitting’, Maggie O'Farrell and Barbara Kingsolver, both internationally bestselling writers and previous winners of the prestigious prize sit alongside previous shortlistee Laline Paull who we recently interviewed for the LoveReading LitFest and debuts by Louise Kennedy, Jacqueline Crooks and Priscilla Morris.

The full details of the 2023 shortlist titles are:

Fire Rush by Jacqueline Crooks

Quote from judge Irenosen Okojie: ‘Fire Rush is a brilliant celebration of Black womanhood. It's a story about dub reggae, friendships, love and loss, which spans London, Bristol and Jamaica.’

Trespasses by Louise Kennedy

Quote from judge Bella Mackie: ‘Trespasses is a novel set during The Troubles in Northern Ireland. It is ostensibly a love affair, but it also weaves in community and religion and politics. It is a deftly woven novel, which will astonish you.’

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Quote from judge Rachel Joyce: ‘Demon Copperhead is a reworking of Dickens’ David Copperfield. It's a story of a young boy who is destined to live a life with nothing and who, despite all the odds, rises above it.’

Black Butterflies by Priscilla Morris

Quote from judge Tulip Siddiq: ‘Black Butterflies is a beautifully written book set against the backdrop of the Siege of Sarajevo; it’s about love and loss, and where your home truly is.’

The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell

Quote from judge Louise Minchin: ‘The Marriage Portrait is an exquisite book. It takes you to a world that you won't have lived in. It explores extraordinary themes of bravery, of pure evil, and I absolutely loved it.’

Pod by Laline Paull

Quote from judge Irenosen Okojie: ‘Pod is about a spinner dolphin who takes great risks to save her pod. It speaks to climate change and is also a wonderful celebration of family.’

We've already predicted great things for Fire Rush, having featured it in our April Books With Buzz blog. Of course after loving Hamnet we had to read The Marriage Portrait when it came out and found it captivating, beautiful and brutal: "just perfect".

The books that make up this year's shortlist have settings that span the globe, but this year's shortlisted authors are predominantly British - with four Brits, one American and one Irish author on the list. 

Chair of Judges, broadcaster and writer Louise Minchin said: ‘This is an exquisite set of ambitious, diverse, thoughtful, hard-hitting and emotionally engaging novels. A glittering showcase of the power of women’s writing. My fellow judges and I feel it has been a huge privilege to read these novels, and we are delighted to be part of their journey, bringing them to the attention of more readers from across the world.’

Louise Minchin is joined on the judging panel by novelist Rachel Joyce; journalist, podcaster and writer Bella Mackie; novelist and short story writer Irenosen Okojie; and Tulip Siddiq, Member of Parliament.

To hear more from Louise, click to read our Q&A with her on our blog.

The 2023 Women's Prize for Fiction winner will be awarded at the Women's Prize Trust's Summer Party, taking place in central London on Wednesday the 14th June.

More information can be found at the Women's Prize for Fiction website www.womensprizeforfiction.co.uk

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