The essence of British and Irish literary tradition is being upheld by a new wave of innovative writers. The unveiling of the shortlist for the 2025 Sunday Times Charlotte Aitken Young Writer of the Year Award sends a clear message that the younger generation is actively engaged in dismantling societal and political barriers rather than being consumed by digital distractions.
For over three decades, this prestigious award has been a key platform for identifying influential voices that shape our cultural landscape, with past winners including renowned authors such as Zadie Smith, Sarah Waters, and Caryl Phillips.
The tradition of recognizing exceptional talent continues with a shortlist characterized by its bold empathy and unflinching examination of societal truths.
Johanna Thomas-Corr, the chief literary critic for The Times and Sunday Times and head of the 2025 jury, praised the selected works as being outward-looking and deeply concerned with societal issues and our interconnected responsibilities.
The judging panel, comprising cultural visionaries like Caleb Femi, Esther Freud, Graham Norton, Sathnam Sanghera, and Lea Ypi, emphasized the importance of narratives that bridge divides and challenge conventional norms, offering a counterbalance to the digital age’s sense of isolation.
The four contenders competing for the £10,000 prize offer diverse perspectives. Ben Brooks presents “The Greatest Possible Good,” a humorous familial saga that questions the essence of goodness in a complex contemporary world.
Gurnaik Johal’s debut novel, “Saraswati,” takes readers on a global voyage as a protagonist uncovers a lost river in Northern India, revealing the invisible ties that bind us across borders.
“Every One Still Here,” a haunting collection of short stories by the anonymous author Liadan Ní Chuinn, delves into the lasting scars of post-conflict Northern Ireland. By choosing anonymity, Ní Chuinn amplifies the collective weight of history over individual identity.
Harry Shukman’s “Year of the Rat” stands out as a bold piece of investigative non-fiction detailing his undercover immersion in far-right groups in the UK, offering crucial insights in a time of escalating extremism.
The final showdown will occur at the Barbican Centre on Monday, 23rd March, where Booker Prize winner Bernardine Evaristo will lead a discussion with the finalists, aiming to make these radical narratives accessible to young audiences through the Young Barbican program.
The ultimate winner will be announced the following evening at the Whitechapel Gallery on Tuesday, 24th March, in the vibrant and diverse East End of London, cementing their position in the lineage of celebrated authors.