The shortlist for the inaugural Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction has been announced, showcasing a diverse array of captivating voices and groundbreaking narratives.
The judging panel for the 2024 Prize is chaired by historian and broadcaster Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. She is joined by fair fashion campaigner Venetia La Manna; academic, author and consultant Professor Nicola Rollock; biographer and journalist Anne Sebba; and author and 2018 winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction Kamila Shamsie.
According to the pride’s website, womensprize.com, the six books that make up the first ever Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction shortlist are diverse in subject matter but united in their originality. The books cover a broad range of subjects – from life writing, religion, art and history, to AI, social media and online politics. What links them is an originality of voice and an ability to turn complex ideas and personal trauma into inventive, compelling and immersive prose.
Leading the pack is Laura Cumming’s Thunderclap: A Memoir of Art and Life and Sudden Death, a poignant reflection on the lives of artists Carel Fabritius and her father. Naomi Klein’s Doppelganger: A Trip Into the Mirror World delves into conspiracy theories and far-right politics, while Madhumita Murgia’s Code Dependent: Living in the Shadow of AI confronts the impact of artificial intelligence on society.
Tiya Miles earns recognition for All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley’s Sack, a Black Family Keepsake, a powerful exploration of generational trauma through the lens of a cherished family heirloom. Noreen Masud’s A Flat Place intertwines Britain’s landscapes with personal trauma, offering a unique perspective on place and identity.
Rounding out the list is Safiya Sinclair’s How to Say Babylon: A Jamaican Memoir, an electrifying account of the author’s journey to break free from her rigid upbringing. Each book on the shortlist promises to leave an indelible mark on readers, challenging assumptions and illuminating new facets of the human experience.
The Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction was launched in response to disparities in nonfiction prize awards, with only 35% of winners over the past decade being women. The winner of the 2024 prize, to be announced on June 13th, will receive £30,000 in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the genre.
The prize continues to celebrate and elevate the voices of women writers across diverse subjects and perspectives. From art to politics, history to technology, these six shortlisted books exemplify the power of non-fiction to inspire, challenge, and transform our understanding of the world.
