Welcome to my not-quite-monthly post on all things historical fiction!
This month, I want to highlight the HWA Crown Award longlists which were announced on X last Wednesday by the Historical Writers Association. There are three separate awards – one for debut novels, one for non-fiction and the other (the Gold Crown) for authors who have previously published. The shortlists are announced in October and the winner in November. I have no plans to try to read all of these books, but thought it would be interesting to look at what I’ve read so far from each list.
Gold Crown Award 2024 longlist
The Glutton by AK Blakemore
The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo
Clear by Carys Davies
You Dreamed of Empires by Álvaro Enrigue, tr Natasha Wimmer
Disobedient by Elizabeth Fremantle
Loot by Tania James
The Book of Days by Francesca Kay
Quint by Robert Lautner
Cast a Cold Eye by Robbie Morrison
A Woman of Pleasure by Kiyoko Murata, tr Juliet Winters Carpenter
Cahokia Jazz by Francis Spufford
Absolutely and Forever by Rose Tremain
I enjoyed Disobedient, about the painter Artemisia Gentileschi, but I was a bit disappointed by the Yangsze Choo, which I found very slow. Absolutely and Forever (also shortlisted for this year’s Walter Scott Prize) and Cahokia Jazz are already on my TBR, and I’ll consider reading the two translated books as I’m making an effort to read more historical fiction in translation. I’m not familiar with any of the others on the list.
Non-fiction Crown Award 2024 longlist
I Seek a Kind Person by Julian Borger
Final Verdict by Tobias Buck
Messalina by Honor Cargill-Martin
Don’t Let’s Be Beastly to the Germans by Daniel Cowling
The Shoulders We Stand On by Preeti Dhillon
Survivors by Hannah Durkin
The Exiled by Lucy Fulford
Four Shots In the Night by Henry Hemming
Agincourt by Michael Livingston
The Picnic by Matthew Longo
A Dirty, Filthy Book by Michael Meyer
Impossible Monsters by Michael Taylor
I haven’t read any of these, but as I don’t read a lot of non-fiction in general, that’s not really surprising. I’ve investigated the titles on this list and I feel that there’s not a lot of variety this year, with most of the books dealing with either war or race and immigration. Still, I’m sure they are all interesting reads and if you’ve read any of them, I would like to hear your recommendations.
Debut Crown Award 2024 longlist
The Other Side of Mrs Wood by Lucy Barker
The Golden Gate by Amy Chua
Leeward by Katie Daysh
Colours of Siena by Judith May Evans
The Maiden by Kate Foster
The Painter’s Daughters by Emily Howes
All Us Sinners by Katy Massey
The Hideous Progeny by C.E. McGill
The Witching Tide by Margaret Meyer
The Beholders by Hester Musson
The Revels by Stacey Thomas
The Tumbling Girl by Bridget Walsh
I loved the Lucy Barker; the other two books I’ve read from this list were enjoyable enough but not necessarily books I would have expected to see nominated for awards. I was already interested in reading The Maiden after enjoying Kate Foster’s new book, The King’s Witches, earlier this year and The Tumbling Girl sounds fun, but I’m not sure if I’ll look for any of the others.
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What do you think of these longlists? Have you read any of these books or are there any you would like to read?
She Reads Novels 
‘Impossible Monsters’ was already on my Wish List (as I’m a bit of a Dinosaur nut) and I’ve just added ‘Don’t Let’s Be Beastly to the Germans’ (as I’m fascinated with the immediate post-war world). Thanks!
I hadn’t even heard of any of those nonfiction books until now, but some of them do sound intriguing!
Would strongly recommend Cahokia Jazz—one of my books of the year in 2023.
I do have a copy of it, so will try to read it soon!
The vast majority of these have passed me by completely. I didn’t enjoy The Other Side of Mrs Wood as much as you, and I’m afraid I abandoned Cast a Cold Eye – great depiction of the Glasgow of the time, but a terribly anachronistic female lead character and a rather dull plot. I also abandoned The Fox Wife. On the other hand, I loved The Golden Gate – great setting and plot!
I know almost nothing about most of the books on these lists, so thanks for that – I’ll avoid Cast a Cold Eye and will look out for The Golden Gate!
I’m not familiar with any of the books on the first list, although I think I have The Fox Wife on my to-read list. I also haven’t heard of any of the books on the second list, but one on Messalina should be interesting, at least judging by the I, Claudius series of books. On the debut list, I’ve read The Other Side of Mrs. Wood and The Witching Tide, probably because of your recommendations. I don’t think I’ve posted my review of The Witching Tide yet.
Yes, Messalina caught my eye from the nonfiction list too.
I have read The Fox Wife (4*) and Clear (3.5*) from the first list, plus I have Loot on my TBR and I Dreamed of Empires on my wishlist. I also have an ARC (still unread) of The Painter’s Daughters.
Loot sounds interesting – I hope you enjoy it.
I heard Michael Taylor interviewed on a podcast, and I immediately put Impossible Monsters on my reading list – but I was pleasantly surprised that the North American edition is already available.
I didn’t get too far on The Fox Wife, but I may come back to it. I’ve just put a library hold on The Other Side of Mrs Wood, I always enjoy stories about spiritualists.
I knew nothing about Impossible Monsters until I saw it on this list, but it does sound interesting. I’m glad it’s already available for you.
I found The Fox Wife quite disappointing – I finished it, but it was slow and confusing at times.
Cahokia Jazz is excellent! The debut list does look a bit weak.
I’m looking forward to Cahokia Jazz! I loved Golden Hill.