The prestigious Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction has unveiled its 2024 shortlist, featuring a diverse range of novels that showcase the genre’s richness and complexity. This year’s shortlisted books are:
- The Heart in Winter by Kevin Barry
- Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon
- The Mare by Angharad Hampshire
- The Book of Days by Francesca Kay
- The Land in Winter by Andrew Miller
- The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
Two of the six books on the shortlist are written by Irish authors: The Heart in Winter by Kevin Barry, set in Butte, Montana, in 1891, and Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon, set in Syracuse, Sicily, in 412 BC. The other shortlisted authors hail from the UK and Europe, including Angharad Hampshire from Wales, Francesca Kay from England, Andrew Miller from Scotland, and Yael van der Wouden from the Netherlands. The shortlist was revealed in a treasure hunt video shot at Abbotsford, the historic home of Walter Scott, the Scottish novelist who founded the prize. The video featured the judges and their deliberations, as well as the six shortlisted books, which were displayed prominently in the historic walled gardens, entrance hall, and grand library of Abbotsford.
| Year | Book | Author |
| 1891 | The Heart in Winter | Kevin Barry |
| 412 BC | Glorious Exploits | Ferdia Lennon |
| 1962/3 | The Book of Days | Francesca Kay |
| Post-occupation Netherlands | Not specified | Not specified |
| 1950s New York | Not specified | Not specified |
According to the judges, the shortlisted novels “paint a wide literary canvas of richness and subtlety,” celebrating storytelling in all its forms. The judges praised the books for their ability to bring stories set in the past into the present, and for their fine writing, which is infused with ambition and originality. Matthew Maxwell Scott, great-great-great-great grandson of Walter Scott, and trustee of Abbotsford, said: “The best historical fiction is not just about dry fact – it’s about how the past felt, and holding a mirror to the present. This prize aims to inspire people of all ages to discover the joy and value of historical fiction, to give established and emerging writers a wider readership, and to bring together authors, readers, and audiences to celebrate and question each other.”
The winner of the prize will be announced on June 12th at the Borders Book Festival in Melrose, Scotland, and each shortlisted author will receive a cash prize of £1,500. The judges also highlighted the significance of the prize’s location, Abbotsford, in revealing the shortlist. “This prize is about bringing stories set in the past into our own time,” they said. “By revealing the shortlist in such a historic setting, we aim to transport our audience to a different era, and to give them a deeper understanding of the past.”
The winners will be announced on June 12th at the Borders Book Festival in Melrose, Scotland. For those who want to find out more about the prize and the shortlisted books, you can visit the official website of the Walter Scott Prize.
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The Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction is a prestigious award that recognizes outstanding historical fiction writing. The prize is open to authors of novels written in English, and is judged by a panel of experts in the field. The prize is awarded annually, and the winner is announced at a major literary festival. The prize has a long history, dating back to 1996 when it was founded by Matthew Maxwell Scott, great-great-great-great grandson of Walter Scott. The prize is designed to promote the genre of historical fiction, and to give emerging and established writers a platform to showcase their work. In the coming weeks, we will be publishing more information about the shortlisted books, including interviews with the authors and reviews of the novels. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting prize!
