Monica Ali says Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist ‘gives voice to the voiceless’

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The author Monica Ali has said that this year’s Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist gives a voice to those who would “otherwise remain voiceless”. open image in gallery Monica Ali is chair of the judging panel for the Women’s Prize for Fiction “That’s what fiction can do so brilliantly is to illuminate those individuals to give voice to people who otherwise remain largely voiceless.” The list includes previous Women’s Prize for Fiction winner Kate Grenville for her work Restless Dolly Maunder, published by independent publisher Canongate Books. Then there’s a reversal of the immigrant story in River East, River West with an American women in China, there’s all different ways of approaching it.” Run by The Women’s Prize Trust, a UK charity which creates equitable opportunities for women in the world of books, it is The shortlist of six books will be announced on Wednesday 24 April at 8am. The full longlist is included below Hangman – Maya Binyam In Defence of the Act – Effie Black And Then She Fell – Alicia Elliott The Wren, The Wren – Anne Enright The Maiden – Kate Foster Brotherless Night – V V Ganeshananthan Restless Dolly Maunder – Kate Grenville Enter Ghost – Isabella Hammad Soldier Sailor – Claire Kilroy 8 Lives of a Century Old Trickster – Mirinae Lee The Blue, Beautiful World – Karen Lord Western Lane – Chetna Maroo Nightbloom – Peace Adzo Medie Ordinary Human Failings – Megan Nolan River East, River West – Aube Rey Lescure A Trace of Sun – Pam Williams