2017 shortlist announced!

28th March, 2017

The seven book shortlist is announced! It is:

Jo Baker A Country Road, A Tree (Doubleday)

Sebastian Barry Days Without End (Faber)

Charlotte Hobson The Vanishing Futurist (Faber)

Hannah Kent The Good People (Picador Australia)

Francis Spufford Golden Hill (Faber)

Graham Swift Mothering Sunday (Scribner)

Rose Tremain The Gustav Sonata (Chatto & Windus)

The Judges commented:

“We have a longer shortlist than usual due to the variety of the longlist, and the fresh perspectives and lively debate generated by the introduction of three new judges to the panel.

Our shortlist was achieved by the judges’ instinctive reaction to each book. The seven shortlisted novels, a mix of old hands and new voices, offer readers joy in the discovery of unusual subjects and times; appreciation of historical research and insight worn lightly and applied skilfully; and, perhaps most important of all, that visceral connection to the characters which is the prerequisite of every novel, whether historical or not.

These seven wonderful books encapsulate moments in history in truly unforgettable ways, making the 2017 Walter Scott prize shortlist one to savour. The second and final judges’ meeting looks set to be as lively as the first.”

The winner will be announced at the Baillie Gifford Borders Book Festival on Saturday 17th June 2017.

Click here to upload the Shortlist press release 2017

For further information and to buy copies of the shortlisted books go to:

https://www.lovereading.co.uk/genre/wsp/The-Walter-Scott-Prize-2017.html