The future of British and Irish literary creativity is secure in the hands of innovative and bold writers. The unveiling of the shortlist for the 2025 Sunday Times Charlotte Aitken Young Writer of the Year Award sends a powerful message that the upcoming generation is actively engaged in breaking down societal and political barriers rather than being consumed by digital distractions.
For more than three decades, this prestigious award has been a key platform for identifying influential voices that shape our cultural landscape, with a distinguished list of past winners including renowned authors like Zadie Smith, Sarah Waters, and Caryl Phillips.
The tradition of recognizing exceptional talent continues with a shortlist characterized by its profound empathy and unwavering commitment to confronting the harsh realities of our world. Johanna Thomas-Corr, the head literary critic for The Times and Sunday Times and chair of the 2025 jury, praised the selected works as outward-looking and deeply concerned with societal issues and our interconnectedness.
The judging panel, comprising influential cultural figures such as Caleb Femi, Esther Freud, Graham Norton, Sathnam Sanghera, and Lea Ypi, emphasized the importance of storytelling that unites people and challenges conventional norms, offering a counterbalance to the isolating effects of the digital era.
The four finalists competing for the £10,000 prize offer diverse perspectives through their works. Ben Brooks presents “The Greatest Possible Good,” a humorous family saga that questions the concept of goodness in a complex contemporary world. Gurnaik Johal’s debut novel, “Saraswati,” explores a protagonist’s discovery of a lost river in Northern India, revealing the common bonds that transcend borders.
Additionally, the enigmatic author Liadan Ní Chuinn delves into the lasting impact of post-conflict Northern Ireland in the haunting short story collection “Every One Still Here,” choosing anonymity to amplify the collective narrative of history. Harry Shukman’s “Year of the Rat” stands out as a bold piece of investigative non-fiction, documenting his undercover experiences infiltrating far-right groups in the UK during a period of increasing extremism.
The winner of the award will be announced at the Barbican Centre on Monday, March 23, in a panel chaired by Booker Prize-winner Bernardine Evaristo, who advocates for marginalized voices in literature. This collaboration aims to make these groundbreaking stories accessible to young audiences through the Young Barbican program, promoting inclusivity in literary engagement.
The ultimate showdown will take place the following evening, Tuesday, March 24, at the Whitechapel Gallery in London’s vibrant East End. One of these courageous authors will be crowned the victor, securing a place among esteemed literary figures and cementing their legacy in the world of writing.
