Wingate Prize 2024 shortlist celebrates Jewish experiences

The esteemed judges of the Wingate Literary Prize 2024 have unveiled an eclectic shortlist of six books, in a celebration of the rich heritage of Jewishness and Jewish life. This year’s selection, comprising two fiction and four non-fiction works, delves into a myriad of subjects including chronic illness, photography, the Cold War, and cooking, underlining the prize’s commitment to translating the essence of Jewishness to a wider audience.

Now in its 47th year, the Wingate Prize, worth £4,000 and run in association with JW3, continues its tradition of recognising outstanding literary contributions.

Wingate Prize shortlist

The 2023/2024 shortlisted books are:

• “Your Hearts, Your Scars” by Adina Talve-Goodman (Bellevue Literary Press): A poignant exploration of ill bodies, desire, and death, interwoven with Judaism’s complexities.
• “The Dissident” by Paul Goldberg (Farrar, Straus and Giroux): A riveting murder mystery set in 1970s Moscow, portraying the Jewish refuseniks’ world with sharp wit and keen observation.
• “Still Pictures” by Janet Malcolm (Granta Books UK, Farrar, Straus and Giroux US): A memoir portraying the artistic journey of a daughter of Jewish immigrants in America, marked by vivid and natural storytelling.

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• “Kosher Soul” by Michael Twitty (Amistad, Harper Collins): This cross-genre book offers an intimate look at Black Jewishness, blending personal narrative with culinary exploration.
• “The Hero of this Book” by Elizabeth McCracken (Jonathan Cape): An insightful account of a writer’s relationship with her mother, showcasing the novel’s expansive potential.
• “One Hundred Saturdays” by Michael Frank (Souvenir Press): A poignant recollection of pre-WWII Jewish life in La Juderia, Rhodes, through the eyes of a Holocaust survivor.

What the judges said

Chaired by Benjamin Markovits, along with panellists Ashley Hickson-Lovence, Natasha Solomons, and Rabbi Lindsey Taylor-Guthartz, the judges shared their insights: “The shortlist was agreed following a robust discussion in which we tussled and debated over very good tea and biscuits. After much consideration, our list reflects the books that had the most passionate support from each of us. We were all very aware of the remit of the prize – its aim to showcase books of Jewish interest to the general reader. 

“Throughout our discussions, we realised how we all bring different perspectives to the table. There is no single way of being Jewish. Instead, Jewish identity flowers through a myriad of meanings, a range of which are highlighted in these shortlisted books,” the statement added.

The Wingate Prize winner will be announced in February, followed by a special event at JW3 on 13 March 2024.

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The prize, established in 1977 by Harold Hyam Wingate, is a testament to the enduring legacy of literature in illuminating Jewish culture and experience. The Harold Hyam Wingate Charitable Foundation, along with JW3, plays a pivotal role in supporting this literary endeavour. JW3, founded by Dame Vivien Duffield and launched in October 2013, stands as a beacon of Jewish culture and community in London.

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