Women's Prize for Fiction 2025 longlist reaction

It's here! I discuss the 16 novels on the official Women's Prize for Fiction 2025 longlist. Click ‘Show More’ for info & links.

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Shortlist: April 2
Winner: June 12

There are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak

The Transgender Issue by Shon Faye

My full reviews of some of the books:

The longlist:

Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout

A Little Trickerie by Rosanna Pike

The Safekeep by Yael Van Der Wouden

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

All Fours by Miranda July

Nesting by Roisin O'Donnell

The Artist by Lucy Steeds

Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Crooked Seeds by Karen Jennings

Amma by Saraid de Silva

Somewhere Else by Jenni Daiches

Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis

The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami

Birding by Rose Ruane

The Persians by Sanam Mahloudji

Good Girl by Aria Aber

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:26 Longlist overview
3:28 Tell Me Everything
7:24 A Little Trickerie
8:35 The Safekeep
10:17 The Ministry of Time
11:43 All Fours
14:33 Nesting
16:04 The Artist
17:16 Dream Count
21:02 Crooked Seeds
21:48 Amma
22:37 Somewhere Else
23:28 Fundamentally
24:16 The Dream Hotel
25:06 Birding
25:47 The Persians
26:18 Good Girl
27:10 Conclusion

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Get in touch

[evamarie]

Thanks for your wise and empathetic discussion on Adichie. I totally agree with all that you said and I do want to read her new novel since I think she’s a great author!

[tinap]

Have only discovered your channel. Am so enjoying your dignified measured and insightful views 😊

[StevenSlawinski]

All Fours was both filthy and a revelation. I walked into it only knowing that it was one of the books of the year from the NYT, but I was not disappointed. Miranda July is a very talented writer and captured the feeling of being middle aged in America. The book stuck with me for a week after I finished it.

[browngirlreading]

Erik you reading Tell Me Everything is hysterical!😂

[rileyherbert]

So proud to see a deeply South African novel on the list! Well done to Karen Jennings!

[carolynlieberg]

Enjoyed Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley. Delighted it’s on the list. The premise isn’t much of a sci-fi stretch, and the relationships are so engaging. Wonderful writing!

[lindacarson]

It’s been such an exciting day & the list seems really interesting. I’m also a big Elizabeth Strout fan so delighted to see her there. I started listening to The Dream Hotel on audio & I’m obsessed already. Will be interested to hear how your reading goes.

[elizabethgriffith]

Happy Women's Prize for Fiction Long List Day! Woke up this morning like a kid on Christmas lol. Thanks for the video Eric, i'm so excited to get to a bunch of these:D

[karenmoore]

Hi Eric I have read one. The Safe Keep. The Persians intrigues me. I could cry for Elif Shafak.

[TheLeniverse]

I correctly predicted five of them, so I beat you! 😂 I'm gutted that Shafak isn't on the list, skeptical that Adichie is, and surprised at the Ministry of Time. I'm looking forward to reading The Dream Hotel and Fundamentally, and to having a look at the ones I haven't heard of. But overall I'm more excited by the non-fiction list.

[brendaredmond]

I love that you read to your husband. And you do the voices! I used to read to my 7 children all the time. Right up until the time they left for college or set out on their own. I did the voices, too.

[lgrant]

Thank you for your wonderful overview of these books! So much content added to my TBR list. Where to begin! So glad The Safekeep made it.

[oliviabradley]

Ah a fellow Mainer! Was not expecting a Saco shout out (I grew up in Waterboro). Love your Women's Prize content!

[Ali-AvidReader]

I’m really pleased with the list, there are a couple I haven’t heard of which is always good. Gutted Elif Shafak isn’t included though.

[TheEmzies]

Very pleased to see a New Zealand author on the list. Amma is a gripping read.

[CharlieBrookReads]

Very exciting list ❤ I have been wanting to read Amma for a while and everyone has been buzzing about Nesting so also excited by that one. Thank you for going through the books with us Eric. I hope you enjoy everything you get to☺️

[philnasmith]

Such an excellent video - thanks Eric ❤

[BookishAdventuresInWellbeing]

*starts campaign for Eric Karl Anderson to narrate all Elizabeth Strout audiobooks

[pamwhite]

I loved Tell Me Everything and I think The Safe Keep was my favorite book last year so happy to see it here. Several I want to read too

[sofiareads]

Great job on your predictions and Anna’s!!