The Free-Range Bookclub
Bookclubbers without boundaries in Nelson, New Zealand
Category: Women’s Prize
2025: Women’s Prize
The representation of women in fiction has been under scrutiny for some time. Yes we are well beyond the era of the sighing damsel in distress, but a sustained examination of the intricacies of womanhood is still developing. Too often women are portrayed as… Continue Reading “2025: Women’s Prize”
Good Girl – Aria Aber
READ FOR WOMEN’S PRIZEA coming of age about Nila, a girl born in Berlin to Afghan immigrants. For Nila there is a constant negotiation between her inherited grief and her desire to belong in a culture that doesn’t reflect her. As a result she… Continue Reading “Good Girl – Aria Aber”
Fundamentally – Nussaibah Younis
READ FOR WOMEN’S PRIZE Nadia Amin, a PhD graduate, publishes an article on deradicalisation, and ends up with a job rehabilitating Isis brides in Iraq. Relishing the opportunity to escape her claustophobic mother and broken relationship she realises she needs to heal herself as… Continue Reading “Fundamentally – Nussaibah Younis”
The Persians – Sanam Mahloudji
READ FOR WOMEN’S PRIZE The story of an Iranian family, some of whom flee to the US during times of conflict, and some who stay. Five women from three generations of the Valiat family narrate their past and present as members of the Iranian… Continue Reading “The Persians – Sanam Mahloudji”
2024: Women’s Prize
Families are at the heart of the Women’s Prize shortlist this year, in particular the role of mothers and daughters who are adapting to personal or societal change. The six female leads in the shortlisted novels have treasured but complex relationships with their families… Continue Reading “2024: Women’s Prize”
Enter Ghost – Isabella Hammad
READ FOR WOMEN’S PRIZE Actress Sonia Nasir returns to Haifa to visit her sister after a relationship breakdown. She is persuaded to perform in an Arabic version of Hamlet amid the violence, highlighting the connection between performance and political protest. At the same time Sonia… Continue Reading “Enter Ghost – Isabella Hammad”
Brotherless Night – V V Ganeshananthan
READ FOR WOMEN’S PRIZE Sashi is a 16-year-old Sri Lankan Tamil with aspirations to be a doctor. Even when civil unrest ensues and her four brothers are caught up in the violence, Sashi still finds a way to help people, at great risk to… Continue Reading “Brotherless Night – V V Ganeshananthan”
River East, River West – Aube Rey Lescure
READ FOR WOMEN’S PRIZE Alva is a 14-year-old half Chinese, half American girl with a secretive mother. They live in Shanghai but Alva dreams of a better life in the US. A coming of age, social drama about the impact of western emigration to… Continue Reading “River East, River West – Aube Rey Lescure”
The Wren, The Wren – Anne Enright
READ FOR WOMEN’S PRIZE Three generations of women carry trauma brought upon them by the famous poet in their family. Phil McDaragh was a man of beautiful words and brutal actions. Years after his death, his daughter and granddaughter try to find their place… Continue Reading “The Wren, The Wren – Anne Enright”
Soldier Sailor – Claire Kilroy
READ FOR WOMEN’S PRIZE A stream of consciousness narrative from a mother to her infant son detailing her struggles with love, identity and control, and the strains parenthood places on her marriage. Dawn arrived on Good Friday and with it despair – no sleep… Continue Reading “Soldier Sailor – Claire Kilroy”
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