Break Out Culture With Ed Vaizey by Country and Town House

118. Summer Books - Louise Minchin and Irenosen Okojie on the Women’s Prize for Fiction

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Episode notes

We’re talking to Louise Minchin, Chair of the Women’s Prize for Fiction, and one of her five co-judges, the Nigerian-born, award-winning novelist Irenosen Okojie MBE. Louise is an endurance triathlete and the well-known journalist, who presented BBC Breakfast for 20 years and was one of BBC News 24’s main anchors.

Now in its 28th year and started by Kate Mosse OBE, the prize aims to encourage and award the finest women writers around the world. Louise and Irenosen talk us through the six finalists who stand to win the coveted prize of £30,000. Their enthusiasm for the shortlisted books makes this a fun, lively and highly enjoyable listen.

The shortlisted books are:

‘Fire Rush’ by Jacqueline Crooks, a state-of-the nation portrait of black womanhood

‘Trespasses’ by Louise Kennedy, set during the Belfast Troubles

‘Demond Copperhead’ by Barbara Kingsolver, David Copperfield reimagined for today

‘Black Butterflies’ by Priscilla Morris Priscilla Morris, set against the siege of Sarajevo

‘Hamnet’ by Maggie O’Farrell, the story of Shakespeare’s son

‘Pod’ by Laline Paull, about a dolphin saving her pod

The winner will be announced on Wednesday 14th June