The Dylan Thomas Prize Shortlist

The shortlist for this interesting prize (the official website is here) was announced first thing this morning. What is this trend for announcing literary shortlists at 00.00 these days? Anyway, I am rather excited by it, as I’ve read and really enjoyed three of the six titles.

Without further ado, here is the shortlist, with authors pictured below, (L>R, Top>Bottom):

  • Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, Friday Black (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (US) and Riverrun (UK)
  • Zoe Gilbert, Folk (Bloomsbury Publishing) My review
  • Guy Gunaratne, In Our Mad and Furious City (Tinder Press, Headline) My review
  • Louisa Hall, Trinity (Ecco) My review
  • Sarah Perry, Melmoth (Serpent’s Tail)
  • Novuyo Rosa Tshuma, House of Stone (Atlantic Books)

Of the three books I haven’t read, I have struggled to get into Sarah Perry’s previous novels although nearly everyone else has loved them, but I’d happily try all three.

If I had to pick one to win, it would be Gunaratne. Since I read In Our Mad and Furious City last autumn, it has stayed with me as the freshest of novels, with its in-yer-face dialogue, the picture of London estate life and its portrayals of generations of immigrant experiences. I’d also be very happy for Zoe Gilbert’s beguiling stories in Folk to win too, I read them recently for the prize blogtour – but they’re sticking, which is always a good sign.

8 thoughts on “The Dylan Thomas Prize Shortlist

  1. Laura says:

    I’m really keen to read Friday Black and House of Stone. Having been underwhelmed by Perry’s two previous novels, I loved Melmoth – it’s very different.

    • AnnaBookBel says:

      I’m keen to read House of Stone – it’s cropping up in all the long and now shortlists.

  2. Elle says:

    Friday Black is pretty superb – I read it basically on a whim and still haven’t forgotten it five months later.

    • AnnaBookBel says:

      I tried both the first two and failed, so ignored this one – but could be tempted – perhaps – maybe – er,,,

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