The Orange Prize Books
Here's to women! The Orange Prize for Fiction and the Orange Award for New Writers are open to any woman who is writing in English—no matter her nationality, country of residence, age or subject matter. Among the illustrious list of previous winners are reader favorites like authors Marilynn Robinson, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Ann Patchett and Anne Michaels. 
It all started in January 1992 when a group of publishers, agents, journalists, reviewers, booksellers and librarians came together with a plan to introduce a writing prize specifically for women writers. At the time, the group felt that too many readers were missing out on fantastic books because the big literary prizes seemed to be overlooking quality writing by women. Soon, a plan was in place to announce a new award, and Orange, a communications company, signed on as the sponsor.

The first Orange Prize for Fiction was awarded to Helen Dunmore in May 1996 for her novel A Spell of Winter. Nearly a decade later, the Orange Award for New Writers was added to open the door for promising first works. 26a by Diana Evans was awarded the first prize in 2005.

This year's winners are:


The Lacuna The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver
Winner of the 2010 Orange Prize for Fiction

An American reared in Mexico, Harrison Shepherd is caught in the tides of the Mexican Revolution until he ends up working for famed muralist Diego Riviera; his wife, Frida Kahlo; and the exiled Leon Trotsky. The political winds volley him between north and south in a story that turns on the lacuna between truth and public presumption.

See the complete short list for the Orange Prize for Fiction


The Boy Next Door The Boy Next Door by Irene Sabatini
Winner of the 2010 Orange Award for New Writers

As Zimbabwe breaks free of British colonial rule, Lindiwe Bishop's white neighbor is murdered. Her stepson, Ian, goes to prison for the crime yet is quickly released. Lindiwe becomes his friend until he abruptly departs for South Africa. Years later, their close relationship is tested by racial prejudice and a country falling into chaos.

Check out the short list for the Orange Award for New Writers
The Orange Prize for Fiction is awarded to the woman who, in the opinion of the judges, has written the best full-length novel in English, provided that the novel is published for the first time in the United Kingdom between April 1 of the year before the prize is awarded and March 31 of the year in which the prize is awarded. 
The Lacuna Winner of the 2010 Orange Prize for Fiction
The Lacuna
By Barbara Kingsolver






The short list for the 2010 prize also included:


The Very Thought of You The Very Thought of You
By Rosie Allison

As Hitler prepares to invade Poland, 8-year-old Anna Sands is torn from her mother and relocated to a large Yorkshire estate owned by an enigmatic, childless couple. As Anna gets drawn into their unraveling relationship, she becomes part-witness and part-accomplice to a love affair, with unforeseen consequences.


Black Water Rising Black Water Rising
By Attica Locke

On a dark night in Houston, Jay Porter saves a distressed woman from drowning and is ensnared in a murder investigation that could cost him his practice, his family and even his life. But before he can untangle the mystery that stretches to the highest reaches of corporate power, he must confront the demons of his past.



Wolf Hall Wolf Hall
By Hilary Mantel

In the 1540s, King Henry VIII wants to annul his marriage of 20 years and marry Anne Boleyn. With the pope and most of Europe opposing him, the quest soon destroys his advisor, the brilliant Cardinal Wolsey, and opens the door for Thomas Cromwell to pick his way deftly through a court where "man is wolf to man."




A Gate at the Stairs A Gate at the Stairs
By Lorrie Moore

Twenty-year-old Tassie Keltjin, a ''half-Jewish" farmer's daughter from the plains of the Midwest, takes a job as a part-time nanny and is drawn more deeply into an increasingly complicated household. As the year unfolds, love leads her to new and formative experiences until the past and the future burst forth in dramatic and shocking ways.




The White Woman on the Green Bicycle The White Woman on the Green Bicycle
By Monique Roffey

When the Harwoods arrive in Trinidad, George instantly takes to their new life, while his wife feels isolated, heat-fatigued and ill at ease. She finds solace in writing letters she will never send to a charismatic political leader. Years later, when George discovers her cache of letters, he decides to prove his love for her, with tragic consequences.


Interested in first-time authors? Check out the Orange Award for New Writers short list
The 2010 Short List for the Orange Award for New Writers
The Orange Award for New Writers began in 2005 as a way to promote fiction from emerging authors, encourage potential and bring new readers from all around the world to women writers.

All first works of fiction—including novels, short story collections and novellas—written by women of any age or nationality and published as a book in the United Kingdom are eligible to enter. The emphasis of the award is on emerging talent and the evidence of future potential. Works are judged for excellence, originality and accessibility, as well as promise.
The Boy Next Door Winner of the 2010 Orange Award for New Writers
The Boy Next Door
By Irene Sabatini






The short list contenders included:


The Book of Fires The Book of Fires
By Jane Borodale

In 1752, a pregnant, 17-year-old Agnes Trussel runs away to survive in London's squalor. Working as an assistant to a firework-maker, she meets a gunpowder seller and hatches a plan that could save her, if only she can keep Mrs. Blight, a housekeeper with a thirst for hangings, from revealing her secrets.



After the Fire, a Still Small Voice After the Fire, a Still Small Voice
By Evie Wyld

After a turbulent relationship ends, Frank moves to a shack on Australia's east coast once owned by his grandparents. In this small coastal community, he tries to reinvent himself. But can Leon recover from his father's experience in the Korean War and his own experience in Vietnam?



Kissing Alice Honorable Mention: Kissing Alice
By Jacqueline Yallop

The Orange Award for New Writer judges commended Jacqueline Yallop for her excellent novel, saying it "stood out for its compelling story and fine prose."



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Published 06/10/2010

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