LONDON (AP) – A notable memoir by Swedish singer Neneh Cherry and an impactful account of a heart transplant penned by British doctor Rachel Clarke are among the finalists for the Women’s Prize for Nonfiction. This newly established award aims to address the gender imbalance that exists in nonfiction publishing.
Neneh Cherry's book titled A Thousand Threads and Rachel Clarke's The Story of a Heart are part of a six-book shortlist that is competing for the prestigious prize of £30,000 (approximately $39,000). The competition showcases a diverse range of narratives, highlighting both personal and broader societal themes.
In addition to Cherry and Clarke, the shortlist features two notable works focused on the environment: Raising Hare by British author Chloe Dalton and What the Wild Sea Can Be from U.K. biologist Helen Scales. These entries reflect a commitment to exploring the intricate relationship between humans and nature in contemporary literature.
Other significant contenders in this year’s competition include Agent Zo, a biography of a World War II resistance fighter authored by British historian Clare Mulley, and Private Revolutions by China-born British lawmaker Yuan Yang, which offers insight into the lives of young women in modern-day China. These works further emphasize the broad spectrum of women’s experiences and contributions captured in nonfiction writing.
Kavita Puri, the chair of the judging panel, expressed that the shortlist is “eclectic,” encompassing narratives that honor the connection between humanity and the natural world. She noted that the selected works are not only meticulously researched but also highlight women who have courageously challenged power structures. She emphasized that the books illuminate complex subjects with authority, nuance, and originality.
This nonfiction prize is a sister award to the long-established Women’s Prize for Fiction, which has been running for nearly 30 years. Open to female English-language writers from any background, the Women’s Prize for Nonfiction aims to rectify the disparities in the publishing industry, particularly where men are found to hold a majority in nonfiction authorship and recognition.
The latest statistics provided by Nielsen Book Research indicate that while women accounted for 59% of all books sold in the U.K. in 2019, men were responsible for just over half of the adult nonfiction purchases. This data underlines the importance of initiatives aimed at encouraging and rewarding female voices in the literary sphere.
The inaugural winner of the Women’s Prize for Nonfiction was Canadian author and activist Naomi Klein, awarded for her book Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World. The winners for this year's prizes—encompassing both nonfiction and fiction categories—are set to be announced on June 12 during a ceremony in London.
