Women’s Prize for Fiction: Read this year’s winning novel and the previous top titles

Written by one of the greatest living novelists, this is the heart-breaking story behind one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays. Through impeccable and emotional prose, it’s a fictional account of the short life of the Bard’s son, Hamnet, who died at the age of 11. At its very core, it’s a novel of love and loss and speaks volumes of grief and how people find their way through it. Written with raw honesty, Hamnet showcases O’Farrell’s unflinching ability as a truly versatile writer. 

This book featured on Barack Obama’s 2018 summer reading list, and for good reason, too. A masterpiece in storytelling, An American Marriage dissects what happens to a relationship when unforeseen circumstances sabotage it. Beautifully told with authentic characterisation, it explores the hearts and minds of three people who are separated by forces beyond their control. Jones's probing of issues around race and justice is subtle yet moving and is done with great emotional intelligence. Expect these unforgettable characters to stay with you long after you’ve finished it.

A modern-day reimagining of Sophocles's Antigone, this commanding novel documents the life of Isma, who has, up until now, spent years caring for her two younger siblings. But while pursuing her dream in America, she worries about her headstrong sister, Aneeka, in London, and her brother, Parvaiz, who’s fled the UK to become the media arm of Isis after discovering his jihadist father, who he never knew, died en route to Guantanamo Bay. When he reappears, halfway across the world, Isma’s worst fears are confirmed. This is a devastating critique of family and identity, and how they frequently clash and inform one another in dark and unknowing ways. It’s a powerful exposé of society and religion in contemporary society. 

This dystopian novel is an electrifying masterpiece that reimagines our current society by giving women the power to release electrical jolts from their fingers, making them the dominant gender. A disturbing and urgent satire that holds our current society to account. Undeniably deserving of a wide audience. 

A densely packed and searing debut, The Glorious Heresies exposes the depths of Cork’s underworld following the economic crash. The story begins when the city’s most fearsome gangster, Jimmy, brings home his long-lost mother, Maureen, after 40 years. When Maureen accidentally murders an intruder by hitting them around the head with a holy stone, there’s a catastrophic shake-up of the lives of five struggling individuals; all of whom are connected by crime, addiction and abuse. Through energetic prose that is laced with local vernacular and a smattering of Gaelic, McInerney crafts a group of complex and vibrant characters. Equal parts moving and darkly funny, it explores the legacy of Ireland’s attitudes towards sex, family and religion in the 21st century. 

Pairing parallel narratives, How to be both is split into two novellas – the first follows a 15th-century Renaissance artist, Francesco del Cossa, while the second is the story of a troubled teenage girl, George, who’s grappling to make sense of her mother’s recent death. Depending on which copy you pick up, you’ll be presented with either Francesco’s or George’s story first. Duality is at the core of this fast-moving, genre-blurring novel that bounces through time, truth and fiction – the dead and the living coexist as their tales intertwine. Through dazzling prose, Smith will keep you engaged until the final page.