The Island Prize has announced a shortlist of five exceptional novels for its 2025 competition, breaking from the traditional three-finalist format due to the quality of submissions this year.
The prestigious literary award, known for spotlighting African literary voices, received over 160 entries from across the continent, presenting judges with what they described as a “difficult challenge in the best possible way.”
“First, we found it very difficult to whittle the 160-plus entries down to a longlist of just nine novels; now we have found it impossible to select just three to make a shortlist – so we have chosen five! The next step doesn’t look like it will be any easier.”
— the judging panel stated.
The five shortlisted works are:
- Azags Agandaa (Ghana) for A Small Patch of Earth
- Izzy Agu (Rwanda/Nigeria) for A Dream Bewitched
- Wame Molefhe (Botswana) for Love Across Borders
- Kristien Potgieter (South Africa) for In The Valley of Bones
- Zabu Wamara (Uganda) for Night Dancer
The selection of a winner from these five finalists will be announced at an unconfirmed date later this year.
Congratulations to all shortlisted authors!.
Bakare Oluwatobiloba
I write to educate, motivate and define history with literature. Just being me!
