WP for Fiction Longlist 2024

AS HEARD ON FRONT ROW, A SUNDAY TIMES, GUARDIAN AND FT 'SUMMER READ''My favourite book I've read this year' PANDORA SYKES 'Intense, furious, moving and often extremely funny' DAVID NICHOLLS'Astonishing' Stephanie Merritt, Observer'Very, very funny' PAUL MURRAYIn one of the most acclaimed novels of the year, her first in over a decade, Claire Kilroy takes us deep into the mind of her unforgettable heroine.Exploring the clash of fierce love for a new life with a seismic change in identity, she vividly realizes the tumultuous emotions of a new mother. As her marriage strains and she struggles with questions of love, autonomy creativity and the passing of time, an old friend makes a welcome return - but can he really offer a lifeline to the woman she used to be? Readers adore Soldier Sailor: ***** 'About as perfect a piece of writing as you'll find.'***** 'Unbearably tense and frequently hilarious.'***** 'An entirely different voltage to anything I've read ... she somehow manages to verbalize *exactly* the feelings and thoughts I, certainly, had at points when I was a young mother'***** 'This story touched me on such a visceral level.'***** 'I was held captive by this novel ... an utterly absorbing depiction of motherhood'***** 'I loved this book. Any woman, with or without children, will see themselves mirrored in this narrative'***** 'An excellent, interesting and rather unforgettable creation.'

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The world is changing, and humanity must change with it. Rising seas and soaring temperatures have radically transformed the face of Earth. Meanwhile, Earth is being observed from afar by other civilizations . . . and now they are ready to make contact. Vying to prepare humanity for first contact are a group of dreamers and changemakers, including Peter Hendrix, the genius inventor behind the most advanced VR tech; Charyssa, a beloved celebrity icon with a passion for humanitarian work; and Kanoa, a member of a global council of young people drafted to reimagine the relationship between humankind and alien societies. And they may have an unexpected secret weapon: Owen, a pop megastar whose ability to connect with his adoring fans is more than charisma. His hidden talent could be the key to uniting Earth as it looks toward the stars. But Owen's abilities are so unique that no one can control him and so seductive that he cannot help but use them. Can he transcend his human limitations and find the freedom he has always dreamed of? Or is he doomed to become the dictator of his nightmares?

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 'Remarkable' Chika Unigwe, author of On Black Sisters' Street The stunning second novel from the author of Reese's Book Club pick His Only Wife When Selasi and Akorfa were young girls they were more than just cousins: they were an inseparable duo, prepared to do anything to protect one another. There was no such thing as a 'secret' between the two girls, who lived their entire childhoods side by side. Then Selasi begins to change. She becomes withdrawn and hostile, losing interest even in the schoolwork that used to be so important to her. Selasi constructs a wall around herself designed to keep everyone out - even Akorfa. It will be years before Akorfa learns what happened. But is there still time to save their friendship? When a terrible crisis brings them back together as young women, they must confront the secrets that Selasi has worked so hard to bury, and challenge those who would prefer her to remain silent.A riveting story of friendship and belonging, from a remarkable Ghanaian talent, Nightbloom is the must-read book of the summer. 'I was hooked on Peace's writing! I found Nightbloom a blistering story, written with razor sharp precision.' Huma Qureshi, author of Things We Do Not Tell the People We Love 

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