The Goldsmiths Prize was established in 2015 to celebrate ‘creative daring’, in novels that break the mould ,or extend the possibilities of the novel form. Each year the prize of £10,000 is awarded to one book that is deemed genuinely ‘novel’ and which embodies the spirit of invention that characterises the genre at its best.
The annual prize is £10,000, and the 2016 winner will be announced on 9th November 2016. However, today, the entries have been narrowed down to a six-strong shortlist and we have that shortlist for you!
Transit – Rachel Cusk
Up for several literary awards this year, Transit sees Cusk delve into deep family themes offering a moving reflection on childhood and fate, the value of suffering and the more problems of personal responsibility.
Hot Milk – Deborah Levy
Hot Milk takes an interesting look at the relationships between mothers and daughters, between two characters, one confined to a wheelchair, and the other, her daughter looking after her as they look for a cure for the defiant, unknown and possibly imagined disease.
The Lesser Bohemians – Eimear McBride
The Lesser Bohemians is a story of a young Irish woman who come to drama school in London and embarks on an intense relationship with an older man. Eimear McBride’s second novel is described as boldly innovative in a tale of sexual passion and the loss of innocence.
Solar Bones – Mike McCormack
Solar Bones explores the personal, domestic, political and philosophical through the eyes of a middle aged engineer in the West of Ireland. Written in free-flowing prose style it’s beautifully written, expressive and emotional.
Like a Mule Bringing Ice Cream to the Sun – Sarah Ladipo Manyika
A novel about a septuagenarian black woman? It’s virtually unheard of, making Like a Mule Bringing Ice Cream to the Sun innovative just for its subject matter. A unique look at loneliness and the desire to live fully in old age.
Like a Mule Bringing Ice Cream to the Sun US
Like a Mule Bringing Ice Cream to the Sun UK
Martin John – Anakana Schofield
A difficult novel, and a difficult subject matter, Martin John looks at the lives of a sex offender and his mother, as they try to keep him on the straight and narrow. Unblinkingly honest and an eye-opening view of the harm we do to each other within families and the words that we use. The novel swept the awards board last year and this and has been critically acclaimed.
So that’s it, six unusual and groundbreaking books. The Goldsmiths Prize winner will be announced in early November and we’ll bring you news of that when we have it.
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