The Aspen Words Literary Prize has unveiled the shortlist for its 2026 award, with five books in contention for the prize given annually to “a work of fiction that illuminates a vital contemporary issue and demonstrates the transformative power of literature on thought and culture.”
Rabih Alameddine made the shortlist for The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother), his novel about a gay 63-year-old teacher in Beirut who lives with his intrusive mother. It previously won the National Book Award for fiction.
Maria Reva was named a finalist for Endling, her comic novel about two sisters who go in search of their missing activist mother in Ukraine; the novel was longlisted for the Booker Prize. Charlotte McConaghy was shortlisted for Wild Dark Shore, which follows a man and his three children who live on a remote island and encounter a mysterious woman who washes ashore. McConaghy’s novel, a Reese Witherspoon book club pick, was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction.
Jess Walter made the shortlist for So Far Gone, his novel about an off-the-grid journalist determined to rescue his kidnapped grandchildren, and Sonora Jha was named a finalist for Intemperance, which follows a 55-year-old woman who hosts a competition for her hand in marriage.
The Aspen Words Literary Prize was established in 2018. Previous winners include Mohsin Hamid for Exit West, Louise Erdrich for The Night Watchman, and Tommy Orange for Wandering Stars.
The winner of this year’s award, which comes with a cash prize of $35,000, will be announced at a ceremony in New York on April 23.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
