June's literary prizes: the best-written books on the shortlists

The Women's Prize for Fiction 2025: The Persians by Sanam Mahloudji is the best-written book on the shortlist

The Women's Prize for Nonfiction 2025: What the Wild Sea Can Be by Helen Scales is the best-written book on the shortlist

The best-written historical novel of the year: The Heart in Winter by Kevin Barry

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The best-written recent literary fiction

The best-written recent literary fiction: Open, Heaven by Seán Hewitt

The best-written recent literary fiction: Sky Daddy by Kate Folk

The best-written recent literary fiction: Parallel Lines by Edward St Aubyn

The best-written recent literary fiction

The best-written recent literary fiction: Name by Constance Debré

The best-written submissions from our subscribers: Bell Hammers by Lancelot Schaubert