Reading My Way Through The Women's Prize For Fiction Longlist

8. Kingfisher by Rozie Kelly
I was somewhat surprised to be living in the mind of a gay man in Kelly’s novel, considering this is in consideration for the Women’s Prize - but we did essentially surround ourselves with the women in the protagonist’s life (and it was penned by a woman, too). I’m not used to reading novels without quotations around our dialogue, nor particularly poetic narration, both of which this book had. We follow our main character in his long term relationship, with a somewhat boring Michael. He then falls into lust with a much older woman, referred only to as ‘the poet’ (and later, ‘Kingfisher’). Questioning his sexuality, his loyalty, and his reliance on the people in his life. It was short and really beautifully written but just not for me.

7. A Beast Slinks Towards Beijing by Alice Evelyn Yang
Admittedly, I read this over an almost two month period. Picking it up occasionally. I will then say - I got very lost in the plot. We had timejumps, generational characters, multiple points of view and I just couldn’t quite keep up. I completely blame myself for that - because the book itself was so scenic, interesting, and had magical realism elements. It reminded me at times of Kristin Hannah’s writing, where historic fiction meets contemporary roots. We spend a lot of time in China during the Communist takeover, so the flashbacks to our main character’s parents and their upbringing, was sad at times, but interesting to follow.

6. Moderation by Elaine Castillo
A very interesting concept, and a book that had been on my radar for a while. We follow Girlie, who works as a content moderator at a major social network. I was gripped from the beginning when affronted with the reality of content that could be made public on social media, if not moderated by people behind the scenes. Everything from child exploitation to ending lives, it was confronting to read about, and yet I couldn’t stop. Unfortunately about 60% of the way through, the book sort of tried to include a romantic sub-plot. Yes, I know that’s something I should be thrilled about - but I just didn’t think it needed it? The second half move into VR and AI also didn’t interest me as much, which I think is why it lost me a little in the end. Still a very interesting concept, and like nothing I had read before.

5. Heart the Lover by Lily King
I’ll admit it, I was absorbed into the hype. I hadn’t read King’s previous Writers and Lovers, which does hold some connection to Heart the Lover. I don’t think it's required reading, but I have heard it enhances the experience. I was a little surprised to not be immediately invested in the characters and the life of the young woman that was unfolding before us. But given the incredibly fast pacing, it was an easy read. The writing evolved as we went in sophistication and maturity which was welcome as we moved through each part. It is a mostly sad, heartbreaking story of sliding doors, right moments at the wrong time and relationship evolution as we grow up. But I was surprisingly not as obsessed with it as many other readers are.

4. Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
Aussie representation in this list was so wonderful to see, and another book that was very much on my radar, given The Nile are the first to celebrate successful Australian literature releases. Wild Dark Shore takes place on a remote Tasmanian island where a family have been tasked to keep alive a seed bank, for the restoration and enduring of certain species. One day a woman washes ashore looking for answers about her presumed dead husband. Some of McConaghy’s literary devices were really interesting - the kids were in third person, but the adults were written in first - representing the distance and lack of emotion from the events within the book. The landscape becomes another character which is a big reason why this novel should get all the props it has. It also won the ABIA Literary Fiction Book of the Year.

3. A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar
This book takes place in a near dystopian version of India ravaged by climate crisis and food shortages. But it never felt too far from the realm of possibility. My grandmother actually grew up in ‘Calcutta’ (Kolkata now) and I think I felt some sort of kinship to the people in this book. Though my family were Irish settlers and completely different to the experiences it still felt special personally to imagine anyone in the same grounds my grandmother grew up back in the 30s. Books that make me emotional will always get a high rating because they have to make me root for the characters, and therefore destroy me when something bad happens. That’s precisely what happened in the end of this book. It was beautifully written, and makes you question the morality of people in crisis, where you can be both a guardian and a thief at the same time.

2. The Mercy Step by Marcia Hutchinson
I read this most recently, and as fresh as it is in my head, I do think I will think about this book for months to come. We follow Mercy through her inner monologue the entire way through the book, from the moment she consciously realises she’s about to exit the womb , to the year she gets her first period. The familial characters are so well brought to life including ‘Mummy’, who Mercy has an anxious attachment to, including the jealousy of any other child she bore after Mercy was born. What a beautifully told tragic story of a hard done by immigrant family finding home and solace through the chaos.

1. The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
No surprises here, it won the prize for a reason and I am in the mob mentality that this book is wonderful. What an endearing format to learn more about our girl Sybil. A woman with a strong mind and an interesting life behind her. I loved following the inner monologue in a different way than reading first person point of view, and the feelings being externalised to whoever was receiving her letters. It made me want to write more letters to loved ones. We get to follow her life in her own retelling and sharing the memories, making amends, and building on existing relationships with those around her. It was a fantastic read, and for a book published over a year ago, deserves the continued hype it has received.