The Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction today (Monday 3 April) announces the 2017 shortlist. Now in its 22nd year, the Prize celebrates excellence, originality and accessibility in writing by women in English from throughout the world.
The shortlist
- Stay With Me by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀̀ (Canongate)
- The Power by Naomi Alderman (Viking)
- The Dark Circle by Linda Grant (Virago)
- The Sport of Kings by C.E. Morgan (4th Estate)
- First Love by Gwendoline Riley (Granta)
- Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien (Granta)
Find out more about the shortlisted books and authors.
Tessa Ross, Chair of Judges
“It has been a great privilege to Chair the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction in a year which has proved exceptional for writing of both quality and originality,it was therefore quite a challenge to whittle this fantastic longlist of 16 books down to only six. From Kentucky in the 19th century to a dystopian future to a post-war sanatorium in the English countryside to 1980s Nigeria, the shortlist celebrates narratives that are daring and intimate, that examine the depth of human experience in unique and compelling ways. We were both impressed and moved by memorable characters from a young woman fleeing her home in China to a writer coming to terms with her failing marriage. These were the six novels that stayed with all of us well beyond the final page.”
Syl Saller, Chief Marketing Officer, Diageo
“The judges have selected an inspirational shortlist of six novels, each different but united by the exceptional quality of writing and depth of story-telling. Baileys is hugely proud to partner with the Women’s Prize for Fiction to champion writing by women, and celebrate the incredible pleasure of reading a great book.”
Set up in 1996 to celebrate and promote international fiction by women throughout the world to the widest range of readers possible, the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction 2017 is awarded for the best novel of the year written by a woman. Any woman writing in English – whatever her nationality, country of residence, age or subject matter – is eligible.
Reading Group shadowing
This year, 12 of our brilliant reading groups have been chosen by the Prize to shadow the shortlist. Each group will receive one title to read and review, and to take part in the #BaileysPrize conversations across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. We will introduce you to the groups in a couple of weeks.
If you are interested in taking part in similar reading group projects, log in and visit our Noticeboard to see what we have on offer.
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Get involved
What do you think of the 2017 shortlisted titles? Which have you read and which is next on your reading pile? Add your comments below, or click any title above to leave a review.
Share your thoughts with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #BaileysPrize. Keep up with all the latest news on the Baileys Prize website.
