Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has been longlisted for the 2025 Women’s Prize for Fiction for her fourth novel, Dream Count, per thebookseller.com. This marks the fourth time Adichie has been honoured by the prestigious award, solidifying her status as one of the most celebrated voices in contemporary literature. The Women’s Prize, now in its 30th year, recognises “outstanding, ambitious, original fiction written in English by women from anywhere in the world.”
Adichie’s inclusion in the 2025 longlist is a testament to her enduring literary impact. Her previous novels—Purple Hibiscus, Half of a Yellow Sun, and Americanah—have all been recognised by the Women’s Prize, making her one of the few authors to achieve such consistent acclaim. Dream Count, published by 4th Estate (HarperCollins), is described as a sweeping exploration of identity, migration and the enduring echoes of history, themes that have become hallmarks of Adichie’s work.
The 2025 longlist features 16 novels with more than half written by debut authors. Alongside Adichie, the list includes literary heavyweights like Miranda July (All Fours) and Elizabeth Strout (Tell Me Everything), as well as rising stars such as Kaliane Bradley, whose debut novel, The Ministry of Time, has already garnered widespread praise. The selection also highlights the growing influence of small independent presses, with Holland House Books, Scotland Street Press, and Weatherglass Books making their first appearances on the longlist.
Organisers of the prize praised the 2025 longlist for its “expansive” scope, noting that many of the novels explore the ramifications of global events across time.
“From the shadows of imperialism and 20th-century conflict to the ongoing impact of immigration and exile, and even the future implications of big tech, these stories are both timely and timeless,” they said.
Themes of identity, family and societal expectations are prominent, with strong portrayals of women challenging norms around age, motherhood and sexuality. Speculative fiction (SFF) also makes a notable appearance, reflecting the genre’s rising prominence in contemporary literature.
The judging panel, chaired by author Kit de Waal, includes novelist Diana Evans, mental health campaigner Bryony Gordon, magazine editor Deborah Joseph, and musician Amelia Warner.
De Waal described the selection process as an “absolute honour,” while pointing to the depth and diversity of the submissions.
“The novels on this year’s longlist are overflowing with compelling stories and writing that demonstrates passion, wit and empathy,” she said. “These are important, far-reaching works that readers will devour.”
Adichie’s consistent recognition by the Women’s Prize underscores her ability to craft narratives that resonate deeply with readers and critics alike. Her novels, often set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s complex history and its diaspora, have been praised for their richly drawn characters, evocative prose and unflinching exploration of social and political issues. Dream Count is expected to continue this tradition, offering a poignant reflection on the interconnectedness of lives across continents and generations.
The longlist will be narrowed down to a shortlist of six titles, to be announced on April 2.
The winner will be revealed at the Women’s Prize Trust’s summer party in central London on June 12.
Alongside the fiction prize, the event will also celebrate the winner of the Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction, whose longlist was announced last month. The winning author of the fiction prize will receive a £30,000 cheque and the Bessie, a limited-edition bronze statuette created by artist Grizel Niven.
Last year’s winner, VV Ganeshananthan, took home the prize for her novel Brotherless Night, a poignant exploration of family and conflict.
Full 2025 Women’s Prize for Fiction Longlist:
– Good Girl by Aria Aber (Bloomsbury Publishing)
– The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (Sceptre, Hodder and Stoughton, Hachette)
– Somewhere Else by Jenni Daiches (Scotland Street Press)
– Amma by Saraid de Silva (Weatherglass Books)
– Crooked Seeds by Karen Jennings (Holland House Books)
– All Fours by Miranda July (Canongate)
– The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami (Bloomsbury Circus, Bloomsbury Publishing)
– The Persians by Sanam Mahloudji (4th Estate, HarperCollins)
– Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (4th Estate, HarperCollins)
– Nesting by Roisín O’Donnell (Scribner, Simon & Schuster)
– A Little Trickerie by Rosanna Pike (Fig Tree, Penguin General, Penguin Random House)
– Birding by Rose Ruane (Corsair, Little, Brown Book Group, Hachette)
– The Artist by Lucy Steeds (John Murray, John Murray Press, Hachette)
– Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout (Viking, Penguin Random House)
– The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden (Viking, Penguin Random House)
– Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, Orion Publishing Group, Hachette)
