The longlist for the 2015 Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction was released at midnight and I think it is fair to say that it was a surprise. Almost half of the books longlisted hadn’t appeared on any of the blogger prediction posts circulating in the last week or so. I hadn’t even heard of some of them. At this stage I’m not sure if they are stronger than the books suggested, but I’ll find out as I still plan to read many of the books that didn’t make the longlist (Weathering by Lucy Wood
In fact, I am far more excited about reading the books I discovered while researching contenders for the longlist and discussing the likelihood of their success with other bloggers. These books probably need even more attention now they’ve failed to make the longlist so don’t be surprised if I prioritise them over the actual list (below)
The 2015 Baileys Longlist:
Outline by Rachel Cusk
Five words from the blurb: woman, Athens, writing, meeting, indistinct
Crooked Heart by Lissa Evans
Five words from the blurb: evacuated, London, Blitz, disaster, money
Aren’t We Sisters? by Patricia Ferguson
Five words from the blurb: family, secrets, grand, friendship, lodger
I Am China by Xiaolu Guo
Five words from the blurb: London, translator, Chinese, detention centre, letters
Dear Thief by Samantha Harvey
Five words from the blurb: letters, recriminating, friend, rage, forgiveness
Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey
Five words from the blurb: forgetful, mystery, friend, missing, note
Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel
Five words from the blurb: Flu, collapse, world, relationships, unexpected
The Offering by Grace McCleen
Five words from the blurb: father, farm, breakdown, memory, rural
The Country of Ice Cream Star by Sandra Newman
Five words from the blurb: children, cruelties, poor, evil, America
The Girl Who Was Saturday Night by Heather O’Neill
Five words from the blurb: twins, star, documentary, ex-convict, difference
The Bees by Laline Paull
Five words from the blurb: bees, hive, obey, sacrifice, Queen
The Table Of Less Valued Knights by Marie Phillips
Five words from the blurb: Camelot, table, quests, misfits, fantasy
The Walk Home by Rachel Seiffert 
Five words from the blurb: laborer, Glasgow, family, betrayal, adrift
A God in Every Stone by Kamila Shamsie
Five words from the blurb: Indian, army, connections, lives, adventure
The Shore by Sara Taylor
Five words from the blurb: islands, sanctuary, 
How to be both by Ali Smith
Five words from the blurb: conversation, artist, child, twist, love
The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters
Five words from the blurb: lodgers, London, unexpected, ex-servicemen, house
A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler
Five words from the blurb: family, decisions, generations, moments, define
The Life of a Banana by PP Wong
Five words from the blurb: Chinese, London, secrets, violence, family
After Before by Jemma Wayne
Five words from the blurb: immigrant, Rwanda, secrets, disease, demons
What do you think of the longlist?
Which books are you most excited about reading?
8 replies on “The Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction Longlist 2015”
One problem with making predictions is I often fill my list with books I’m excited to read–and then prefer the look of my list to the actual list. There are several new to me books on the list, and I’m looking forward to them, but I’m already wondering how I’ll balance my Bailey’s reading with anything else, as I’ve only read two of the titles. As you know, Euphoria was my favorite read of last year, so I’m sad to not see it on the list. Hope you enjoy it!
Carrie, Yes, there are far too many books out there – it is so hard to decide which ones to read. I think our lists are better than the actually longlist, but I’m happy to try a few from each and see if I’m proved wrong. I look forward to comparing notes with you!
I seem to have read more of the ones that didn’t make the shortlist – loved Euphoria, Hausfrau and Everything I Never Told You – but it’s always going to be a personal choice for the jury.
Marina, Yes, that’s why it is so difficult to predict. I would love to be able to hear the conversations that take place when they are trying to decide which books to put through.
Oh boo, it looks like the Lissa Evans book isn’t out in the US yet. I read something by Evans a few years ago and quite liked it, but I haven’t read anything else by her (yet). So that one! I’m excited about that one!
Jenny, Oh, that’s a shame. I haven’t read anything written by Evans yet, but I look forward to trying Crooked Heart.
Interesting list… Elizabeth is Missing is actually only so-so, in my mind! It all hinges upon the reader being withheld important information.
Station Eleven is high on my list, though!
I was surprised, after predictions, not to see The Miniaturist on there, but having started it I think I can see why it isn’t.
I’ve read Station Eleven, have I Am China and Elizabeth Is Missing ready, and want to read The Paying Guests, so I’m pretty excited in that respect (my reading doesn’t often match up so well). I think it’s a fair list, a good representative of what’s done well, and I’m pleasantly surprised to see After Before and the Wong (always good to see smaller presses).