Exonian’s “beautiful and unearthly” debut novel nominated for the Orange Prize

Congratulations to Amy Sackville (2002, English Studies 1880-1960), whose debut novel The Still Point has been long-listed for the Orange Prize. The 20-strong long-list was selected from 129 candidates, and nominees who made it onto the list include high-profile authors Hilary Mantel (for Wolf Hall) and Sarah Waters (The Little Stranger). The list also includes six other debut novels.

The Still Point was described as a “beautiful and unearthly novel” (Francis Spufford, author of The Child That Books Built). The Guardian review said: “The two worlds of ice and heat, a century apart, are carefully balanced by the exquisitely restrained prose”, and Marie Claire recently joined the chorus of praise, impressed by “two shimmering narratives, both dealing with emotional distance, [which] reflect and refract the feelings of abandonment, hope and fear that are so much a part of love and longing”.

The shortlist for the Orange Prize will be revealed on 20 April.