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Daily Mail
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Our reviewers' picks for the best books to deck out your shelves...and suitcases this summer
Literary Fiction Anthony Cummins FULFILLMENT by Lee Cole (Faber £18.99, 336pp) I loved this sharp, funny American novel about half-brothers whose buried grudges surface when one beds the other's wife. Sibling rivalry gives way to page-turning jeopardy when their MAGA-loving mum gifts one of them a loaded gun. It's a tale of lust, envy, revenge . . . told with warmth and killer comic timing. FUN AND GAMES by John Patrick McHugh (4th Estate £16.99, 400pp) Set over a single summer, this hilarious Irish debut follows a 17-year-old school leaver riddled with social anxiety as his teammates at a Gaelic football club jostle for bragging rights about sexual experience. You root for the protagonist – yet wince, too, at his relentlessly self-sabotaging errors of judgment. A brilliant book, tender and fizzy with wit and vim. Stephanie Cross THE BEST OF EVERYTHING by Kit de Waal (Tinder Press £20, 320pp) From the depths of her grief and hatred for the man who killed her lover, we follow the St Kitts-born nurse Paulette on a transformative personal journey, giving rise to acts of extraordinary kindness and compassion. Truly heart-expanding. THE NAMES by Florence Knapp (Phoenix £16.99, 352pp) One of the most anticipated debuts of the year, Knapp's ultimately life-affirming story spins three possible futures for domestic abuse victim Cora and her newborn son. While there are some near unbearable moments, I devoured it almost in a sitting. Claire Allfree Water in the Desert, Fire in the Night by Gethan Dick (Tramp Press £14, 220pp) 'It's only by imagining very very small that we carry on thinking we know what the future holds,' says the narrator of this punchy, deceptively soft-focus dystopia. A pandemic, untold numbers dead, an assorted bunch of survivors and their journey to an apparent sanctuary in the South of France make for a refreshing look at ideas of hope, survival and complacency, and an unsettlingly resonant debut. Flesh by David Szalay (Jonathan Cape £18.99, 368pp) One of the year's best novels to date, this is the story of Istvan, as his life moves from a Hungarian housing estate to the enclaves of extreme wealth before tragedy threatens everything. Szalay writes in a stark, emotionless prose that captures something of the modern alienation of the age; it's also an excellent novel about masculinity and money. Crime & Thrillers Geoffrey Wansell The Good Father by Liam McIlvanney (Zaffre £16.99, 416pp) Gordon and Sarah Rutherford have everything – a son they adore, Rory, a house on the beach in Ayrshire and a happy life, until one day Rory disappears. Their lives don't disintegrate at once, not while there's hope, but what should Gordon do? This is McIlvanney at his masterful best. King of Ashes by S. A. Cosby (Headline £20, 352pp) Roman Carruthers is summoned home to central Virginia after his father, who runs the local crematorium, has been in a car crash – leaving him in a coma. Only it wasn't an accident. His family are in trouble and Roman sets out to rescue them – but at a price. Cosby sends a shiver down the spine. Some of Us are Liars by Fiona Cummins (Macmillan £18.99, 384pp) Three sisters from Essex, the eldest a Hollywood star, lie at the heart of Cummins' story about the disappearance of a young son and the lies that hide beneath what seems to be the perfect family. Sad, tense and deeply poignant, it is truly thrilling. The Death of Us by Abigail Dean (Hemlock £18.99, 368pp) Married couple Edward and Isabel, in their early 30s, suffer a terrifying home invasion when an intruder breaks in and rapes Isabel after subduing her husband in another room. The story of what happens to them over the next 20 years is both haunting and terrifying: never to be forgotten. Presumed Guilty by Scott Turow (Swift £20, 544pp) Prosecuting attorney Rusty Sabich – star of Turow's breakout thriller Presumed Innocent – makes his reappearance after almost 40 years. This time he is a judge coaxed out of retirement to defend the stepson of his new love against a murder charge. This is every bit as good as its brilliant predecessor. Wendy Holden The Homemade God by Rachel Joyce (Doubleday £20, 384pp) Vic Kemp, famous artist, has a mysterious late-life romance. His children think the woman is a gold-digger. Then he dies in strange circumstances and they rush to Italy to confront her. But is Bella-Mae as bad as they imagine, and what are the rest of them hiding anyway? This complex, clever, beautiful novel is my favourite Rachel Joyce so far. Julie Tudor Is Not A Psychopath by Jennifer Holdich (Hodder & Stoughton £20, 320pp) But she is the anti-heroine of this funny debut. If you enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, you'll love this tale of crazed love in a Cardiff office. Julie's mad about Sean but he has other romantic interests, all of whom meet mysterious ends. Narrator Julie explains everything from her own very special point of view. You'll cringe, laugh and feel sorry for her in equal measure. Bad Influence by C. J. Wray (Orion £20, 336pp) Jinx is a woman with an exciting past now retired to a Home Counties village. A secretive sort, she's not pleased to have to go on a community bus trip to Tuscany. But there's unfinished wartime business there, and possibly a bit of buried treasure, too. Hilarious. Sci-Fi & Fantasy Jamie Buxton The Incandescent by Emily Tesh (Orbit £20, 432pp) Dr Walden is de facto head of a boarding school where magic is very much on the agenda, as are demons of every stripe, adolescent growing pains, monstrous perils and grown-up romance. A boarding school adventure, an exploration of magic, a meditation on ageing . . . and a book to fall in love with. One Yellow Eye by Leigh Radford (Tor Nightfire £22.99, 352pp) Kesta is a messed up thirtysomething scientist working on a Zombie Apocalypse cure in a secret lab. But that's nothing compared to what she's hiding. Setting this zombie story apart is its deep dive into the mysteries of the human heart. Gripping, grisly and wonderfully written. Strange Houses by Uketsu (translated by Jim Rion) (Pushkin Vertigo £14.99, 208pp) A couple of friends stumble on a murder mystery and the only clues lie in a series of detailed, hard-edged architectural plans. The closer they look, the more bonkers the truth appears to be. Original and compelling, the book carves out a space between horror, crime and fantasy. Debuts Sara Lawrence Luminous by Silvia Park (Magpie £16.99, 400pp) In post-war Seoul, two decades after the reunification of Korea, this sci-fi novel describes a place where robots are completely integrated into society – albeit as second-class citizens. Estranged siblings Jun and Morgan reunite to solve the disappearance of a child robot and all kinds of secrets are revealed. It's beautiful on love and what it means to be human. Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle (Bloomsbury £16.99, 400pp) Teenage Konstantin is missing his dead dad madly when the unmistakable taste of his father's favourite meal fills his mouth. Soon he is bombarded by flavours and discovers that he has a unique ability to communicate with ghosts through food. By cooking the dishes of the dead, Konstantin can bring them back for a final meal. Twisty, dark and unique. Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis (W&N £16.99, 336pp) Nadia works in Iraq for a UN programme rehabilitating Isis brides. She left London after being disowned by her religious mother and dumped by the love of her life. Nadia thought a dramatic change of scene would alter everything but life remains tough until she meets Sara, a Londoner who joined Isis as a teenager. Funny and insightful. Classic Crime Barry Turner Maigret's Holiday by Georges Simenon (Penguin Design Collection £9.99, 208pp) This splendid new edition of the Simenon classics has the Chief Inspector enjoying the sea air until he is told of a dying woman's delirious confession of complicity to murder. Following his instinct, Maigret challenges the suffocating hypocrisy of tightly knit society to uncover a tragic story of passion and jealousy. Cyanide in the Sun Edited by Martin Edwards (British Library £10.99, 320pp) One of the top experts in classic crime, Edwards has delved into the archives for this hugely enjoyable collection of mysteries with a holiday theme. Though many of the authors have long disappeared from print, they are worthy of rediscovery, not least as a warning against swimming too far from the beach. Against the Grain by Peter Lovesey (Little Brown £21.99, 368pp) In the last Peter Diamond book, the acerbic head of Bath CID exposes a miscarriage of justice. After hosting a wild party, the daughter of a wealthy landowner goes down for manslaughter. But Diamond believes that the supposed criminal neglect was a planned killing with the murderer still at large. This is police procedural at its best. Sara Lawrence So Thrilled for You by Holly Bourne (Hodder & Stoughton £16.99, 432pp) Set at the baby shower from hell, this rollercoaster read stars Lauren, Nicki, Charlotte and Steffi, best friends from university who are now in their early 30s and experiencing different life stages. There's an arson attack and a lot of judgment. The narrative alternates between their points of view alongside police reports and newspaper articles about what happened. Sensational. Favourite Daughter by Morgan Dick (Viking £16.99, 352pp) This is a hilarious, heartbreaking and original story about sisters Mickey and Arlo. They share a recently deceased father but have never met. Arlo loved him to distraction; Mickey blamed him for everything. Arlo is as surprised to be cut out of his will as Mickey is to receive everything – on one condition. It's unethical, unwise and utterly addictive. Who Wants to Live Forever by Hanna Thomas Uose (Brazen £16.99, 320pp) Young married couple Sam and Yuki are madly in love. Sam is an illustrator and Yuki campaigns against Yareta, a new drug that delivers eternal youth and is the subject of mass debate. The global divide between those who are on Yareta and those ageing is vast and terrifying. When Sam goes behind Yuki's back their bond is destroyed. Clever and compelling. Psychos Christena Appleyard The Palazzo by Kayte Nunn (No Exit Press £9.99, 304pp) This book transports you to a luxurious palazzo in the Italian Alps with a dreamy swimming pool and an equally dreamy handsome chef. It's the perfect setting for a summer read; and for an unusual murder. The glamorous hostess is celebrating her 40th birthday and she has invited a group of special friends, all of whom have secrets. Clever, glitzy and keeps you guessing. It's Always The Husband by C.L. Taylor (Avon £16.99, 352pp) Ignoring the gossip at the school gate, newcomer mother Jude gets involved with a single father whose former partners are now dead or vanished. There's a powerful sense of jeopardy as Jude gets drawn in and her new man refuses to dispel the gossip. A great title that doesn't disappoint. The Serial Killer's Party by Amy Cunningham (Penguin £8.99, 336pp) Amelia accepts an invitation to a billionaire's party in Norway because she believes she can solve the mystery of her sister's murder. But the billionaire has his own sinister plans. This combines luxury and escapist scenery with real psychological insights into the bonds that bind sisters. Eithne Farry The Pretender by Jo Harkin (Bloomsbury £18.99, 464pp) Set at the tail end of the War Of The Roses, and jam-packed with plot and counter-plot, Harkin's stand-out debut makes the best of the role Lambert Simnel, a farmer's boy, as pretender to the English throne. Ambitious, mischievous and brilliantly written, her boldly drawn characters and their reckless, ruthless aspirations make for a hugely entertaining read. The Artist by Lucy Steeds (Michael Joseph £16.99, 304pp) THE height of summer in 1920s Provence is a place of honeyed heat and slow-burn attraction. This is the intense, beautifully realised tale of reclusive painter Tata, his put-upon niece Ettie, who's living a secret artistic life of her own, and aspiring writer Joseph, who finds himself drawn into their tempestuous, luminous orbit in this smouldering book. Rapture by Emily Maguire (Sceptre £20, 320pp) See-sawing between seductive sensuality and religious asceticism, Rapture unspools the story of the legendary Joan, who begins life in 9th-century Mainz as motherless Agnes. Determined to forge a future that encompasses her love of theology and her own provocative beliefs, she binds her breasts and heads out on an adventure that will see her become scholar, preacher and eventually, the pope.
The Independent
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
The Women's Prize for Fiction 2025 has gone to a debut author – here's where to read the winning book
The winner of the 2025 Women's Prize for Fiction has been announced. Triumphing over authors including Elizabeth Strout and Miranda July, debut novelist Yael van der Woude took home the prize for The Safekeep. Aiming to champion women authors and fresh voices, the prestigious literary award is now in its 30th year. The open-air ceremony was attended by Queen Camilla, who praised Kate Mosse and the other founders of the award. Camilla said, 'They believed that women's stories should be truly heard, understood and honoured; and that it was time to disprove Virginia Woolf's famous statement that 'Anon…was often a woman''. 'They did this by establishing the Women's Prize for Fiction and its instantly recognisable statuette, 'The Bessie'. This simple, but radical, step brought the female voice from the margins of the literary world to its very centre,' she said. According to the judges, each of the shortlisted books explored the need for personal freedom and human connection. They explore a range of topics, covering cultural heritage, friendship, and sexual awakenings. Woude's winning novel The Safekeep is a searing story of two women in the Netherlands after the Second World War. Chair of the fiction prize's judging panel, author Kit de Waal, said: 'The Safekeep is that rare thing: a masterful blend of history, suspense and historical authenticity … a classic in the making.' Above all, the shortlisted novels put a spotlight on the female experience, from 1960s Europe to present-day America. Here's everything you need to know about the winning book and the other novels in the running. Set in the Netherlands, The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden is a story of facing up to desire and the past. It follows Isabel, living as a recluse in her late mother's country home. Her solitary life of discipline and routine is threatened when her brother arranges for his new girlfriend to stay for the sweltering summer season. With just the two of them in the house, Isabel's need for control is tested, and the tension between the women builds to a crescendo. One of the buzziest debuts of the year – and a personal favourite – Nussaibah Younis's Fundamentally is an entertaining novel about a brutal subject. It follows Nadia, a young lecturer whose research into Isis brides leads to her running a deradicalisation program. Newly heartbroken, she is thrown into the chaotic world of international aid. Nadia soon forms a connection with east Londoner Sara, who joined Isis when she was just 15. Exploring faith and friendship, radicalism and racism, and decades of bureaucratic and systemic corruption and hypocrisy, Younis is funny, thoughtful, and sensitive about difficult topics. With signature wryness, the celebrated American writer and director Miranda July explores female reinvention, sexuality and menopause in All Fours. It follows a 45-year-old woman who sets out on a road trip from LA to New York but ends up in an unconsummated affair with a handsome man in a motel room close to home. Three weeks later, she's thrown back into her married, child-rearing life, but is this enough for her anymore? July breathes fresh life into a well-trodden theme - how creative and sexual freedom is at odds with the traditional trajectory of a woman's life. Her protagonist breaks free of convention to have her cake and eat it, too. Hilarious and profound, there's a reason why so many women love this novel. Another absorbing debut, The Persians tells the story of three generations of women in a once illustrious family in Iran. Spanning from the 1940s up to the present day, the narrative is shared between five women, beginning with Elizabeth. The elderly matriarch of the family during the 1979 revolution, Elizabeth decides to stay with her husband in Iran and sends her two daughters, Seem and Shirin, to America. Elizabeth's grandchildren are split up; one of them, Niaz, stays with her grandmother in Iran; the other, Bita, is a law student who feels generational guilt for the country her parents left behind. Drawing comparisons to Min Jin Lee's Pachinko, it's a powerful story of one family and their country. Elizabeth Strout has been longlisted four times and shortlisted twice for the Women's Prize for Fiction. Her latest recognition comes for Tell Me Everything, which sees two of her most famous characters meet - a delight for her fans. It's autumn in Maine, and long-time Crosby inhabitant Olive Kitteridge now resides at a retirement home in the coastal town. She is befriended by the acclaimed writer Lucy Barton, who lives in a house by the sea. Striking up a special bond, the two spend long afternoons telling each other stories of the people they have known and the places they've been. Quietly beautiful, the novel explores new friendships and old loves. Aria Aber's debut Good Girl follows Nila, a wild party-girl and aspiring artist growing up in Berlin. The daughter of Afghan doctors who fled their country before she was born, she is grieving the death of her mother and finding solace in the nightclubs of Berlin. A tumultuous romance with a charismatic American author offers escape from the pressure of being the Afghan ideal of a 'good girl.' Exploring politics, art, history and shame in her journey of self-discovery, it's won critical acclaim.
BreakingNews.ie
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Debut novel by Dutch author wins 2025 Women's Prize for Fiction
A debut novel by a Dutch author has won the 2025 Women's Prize for Fiction with the judges praising it as 'a classic in the making'. Announced at a ceremony held in central London on Thursday, Yael van der Wouden, 38, won the award for her novel, The Safekeep, which explores repressed desire and the unresolved aftermath of the Holocaust in post-Second World War Netherlands. Advertisement The novel follows Isabel, a young woman whose life in solitude is upended when her brother's girlfriend, Eva, comes to live with her in their family house in what turns into a summer of obsession, suspicion and desire. Writer and chair of judges for the fiction prize, Kit de Waal, said: 'The Safekeep is that rare thing: a masterful blend of history, suspense and historical authenticity. 'Every word is perfectly placed, page after page revealing an aspect of war and the Holocaust that has been, until now, mostly unexplored in fiction. 'It is also a love story with beautifully rendered intimate scenes written with delicacy and compelling eroticism. Advertisement 'This astonishing debut is a classic in the making, a story to be loved and appreciated for generations to come. Books like this don't come along every day.' Queen Camilla, fourth from right, with the 2025 Women's Prize for Fiction shortlist and chair of judges Kit de Waal (Twiggles/Women's Prize Trust/PA) Van der Wouden will receive £30,000 along with a limited-edition bronze statuette known as the Bessie which was created and donated by the artist Grizel Niven. The judging panel for the Women's Prize for Fiction included novelist and journalist Diana Evans, author, journalist and mental-health campaigner Bryony Gordon, writer and magazine editor Deborah Joseph, and musician and composer Amelia Warner. Also announced at the ceremony was the recipient of the non-fiction award which was won by physician Dr Rachel Clarke for The Story Of A Heart, a book that explores the human experience behind organ donation. Advertisement The book recounts two family stories, documenting how medical staff take care of nine-year-old Kiera in her final hours following a car accident while offering a new life to also nine-year-old Max who is suffering from heart failure from a viral infection. Journalist, broadcaster and author Kavita Puri who was the chair of judges for the non-fiction prize, said: 'The Story Of A Heart left a deep and long-lasting impression on us. Clarke's writing is authoritative, beautiful and compassionate. 'The research is meticulous, and the storytelling is expertly crafted. She holds this precious story with great care and tells it with dignity, interweaving the history of transplant surgery seamlessly. 'This is a book where humanity shines through on every page, from the selfless act of the parents who gift their daughter's heart in the depths of despair, to the dedication of the NHS workers. It is unforgettable, and will be read for many years to come.' Advertisement Clarke, who is behind Breathtaking, Dear Life and Your Life In My Hands will receive £30,000 along with a limited-edition piece of art known as the Charlotte which was gifted by the Charlotte Aitken Trust. Queen Camilla, centre, with the 2025 Women's Prize for Non-Fiction shortlist and chair of judges Kavita Puri (Twiggles/Women's Prize Trust/PA) The judging panel for the non-fiction prize included writer and broadcaster Dr Leah Broad, whose work focuses on women's cultural history along with novelist and critic Elizabeth Buchan. The writer and environmental academic, Dr Elizabeth-Jane Burnett was also a judge for the non-fiction award along with the author and writer of The Hyphen newsletter on Substack, Emma Gannon. Previous winners of the fiction prize include Tayari Jones with An American Marriage and The Song Of Achilles by Madeline Miller, while the first winner of the non-fiction prize was awarded last year to Naomi Klein for Doppelganger: A Trip Into The Mirror World. Advertisement The awards were announced by the Women's Prize Trust, a UK charity that aims to 'create equitable opportunities for women in the world of books and beyond'.
The Independent
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Debut novel by Dutch author wins 2025 Women's Prize for Fiction
A debut novel by a Dutch author has won the 2025 Women's Prize for Fiction with the judges praising it as 'a classic in the making'. Announced at a ceremony held in central London on Thursday, Yael van der Wouden, 38, won the award for her novel, The Safekeep, which explores repressed desire and the unresolved aftermath of the Holocaust in post-Second World War Netherlands. The novel follows Isabel, a young woman whose life in solitude is upended when her brother's girlfriend, Eva, comes to live with her in their family house in what turns into a summer of obsession, suspicion and desire. Writer and chair of judges for the fiction prize, Kit de Waal, said: 'The Safekeep is that rare thing: a masterful blend of history, suspense and historical authenticity. 'Every word is perfectly placed, page after page revealing an aspect of war and the Holocaust that has been, until now, mostly unexplored in fiction. 'It is also a love story with beautifully rendered intimate scenes written with delicacy and compelling eroticism. 'This astonishing debut is a classic in the making, a story to be loved and appreciated for generations to come. Books like this don't come along every day.' Van der Wouden will receive £30,000 along with a limited-edition bronze statuette known as the Bessie which was created and donated by the artist Grizel Niven. The judging panel for the Women's Prize for Fiction included novelist and journalist Diana Evans, author, journalist and mental-health campaigner Bryony Gordon, writer and magazine editor Deborah Joseph, and musician and composer Amelia Warner. Also announced at the ceremony was the recipient of the non-fiction award which was won by physician Dr Rachel Clarke for The Story Of A Heart, a book that explores the human experience behind organ donation. The book recounts two family stories, documenting how medical staff take care of nine-year-old Kiera in her final hours following a car accident while offering a new life to also nine-year-old Max who is suffering from heart failure from a viral infection. Journalist, broadcaster and author Kavita Puri who was the chair of judges for the non-fiction prize, said: 'The Story Of A Heart left a deep and long-lasting impression on us. Clarke's writing is authoritative, beautiful and compassionate. 'The research is meticulous, and the storytelling is expertly crafted. She holds this precious story with great care and tells it with dignity, interweaving the history of transplant surgery seamlessly. 'This is a book where humanity shines through on every page, from the selfless act of the parents who gift their daughter's heart in the depths of despair, to the dedication of the NHS workers. It is unforgettable, and will be read for many years to come.' Clarke, who is behind Breathtaking, Dear Life and Your Life In My Hands will receive £30,000 along with a limited-edition piece of art known as the Charlotte which was gifted by the Charlotte Aitken Trust. The judging panel for the non-fiction prize included writer and broadcaster Dr Leah Broad, whose work focuses on women's cultural history along with novelist and critic Elizabeth Buchan. The writer and environmental academic, Dr Elizabeth-Jane Burnett was also a judge for the non-fiction award along with the author and writer of The Hyphen newsletter on Substack, Emma Gannon. Previous winners of the fiction prize include Tayari Jones with An American Marriage and The Song Of Achilles by Madeline Miller, while the first winner of the non-fiction prize was awarded last year to Naomi Klein for Doppelganger: A Trip Into The Mirror World. The awards were announced by the Women's Prize Trust, a UK charity that aims to 'create equitable opportunities for women in the world of books and beyond'.
Glasgow Times
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Debut novel by Dutch author wins 2025 Women's Prize for Fiction
Announced at a ceremony held in central London on Thursday, Yael van der Wouden, 38, won the award for her novel, The Safekeep, which explores repressed desire and the unresolved aftermath of the Holocaust in post-Second World War Netherlands. The novel follows Isabel, a young woman whose life in solitude is upended when her brother's girlfriend, Eva, comes to live with her in their family house in what turns into a summer of obsession, suspicion and desire. Writer and chair of judges for the fiction prize, Kit de Waal, said: 'The Safekeep is that rare thing: a masterful blend of history, suspense and historical authenticity. 'Every word is perfectly placed, page after page revealing an aspect of war and the Holocaust that has been, until now, mostly unexplored in fiction. 'It is also a love story with beautifully rendered intimate scenes written with delicacy and compelling eroticism. 'This astonishing debut is a classic in the making, a story to be loved and appreciated for generations to come. Books like this don't come along every day.' The Queen, fourth from right, with the 2025 Women's Prize for Fiction shortlist and chair of judges Kit de Waal (Twiggles/Women's Prize Trust/PA) Van der Wouden will receive £30,000 along with a limited-edition bronze statuette known as the Bessie which was created and donated by the artist Grizel Niven. The judging panel for the Women's Prize for Fiction included novelist and journalist Diana Evans, author, journalist and mental-health campaigner Bryony Gordon, writer and magazine editor Deborah Joseph, and musician and composer Amelia Warner. Also announced at the ceremony was the recipient of the non-fiction award which was won by physician Dr Rachel Clarke for The Story Of A Heart, a book that explores the human experience behind organ donation. The book recounts two family stories, documenting how medical staff take care of nine-year-old Kiera in her final hours following a car accident while offering a new life to also nine-year-old Max who is suffering from heart failure from a viral infection. Journalist, broadcaster and author Kavita Puri who was the chair of judges for the non-fiction prize, said: 'The Story Of A Heart left a deep and long-lasting impression on us. Clarke's writing is authoritative, beautiful and compassionate. 'The research is meticulous, and the storytelling is expertly crafted. She holds this precious story with great care and tells it with dignity, interweaving the history of transplant surgery seamlessly. 'This is a book where humanity shines through on every page, from the selfless act of the parents who gift their daughter's heart in the depths of despair, to the dedication of the NHS workers. It is unforgettable, and will be read for many years to come.' Clarke, who is behind Breathtaking, Dear Life and Your Life In My Hands will receive £30,000 along with a limited-edition piece of art known as the Charlotte which was gifted by the Charlotte Aitken Trust. The Queen, centre, with the 2025 Women's Prize for Non-Fiction shortlist and chair of judges Kavita Puri (Twiggles/Women's Prize Trust/PA) The judging panel for the non-fiction prize included writer and broadcaster Dr Leah Broad, whose work focuses on women's cultural history along with novelist and critic Elizabeth Buchan. The writer and environmental academic, Dr Elizabeth-Jane Burnett was also a judge for the non-fiction award along with the author and writer of The Hyphen newsletter on Substack, Emma Gannon. Previous winners of the fiction prize include Tayari Jones with An American Marriage and The Song Of Achilles by Madeline Miller, while the first winner of the non-fiction prize was awarded last year to Naomi Klein for Doppelganger: A Trip Into The Mirror World. The awards were announced by the Women's Prize Trust, a UK charity that aims to 'create equitable opportunities for women in the world of books and beyond'.
