Book of the Year - Audiobook Fiction
Book of the Year - Audiobook: Fiction Winner and Shortlist
Proudly supported by the Audiobookish Podcast
Classical literature, thrillers, fantasy and social satire are reinvigorated on the audio fiction shortlist. Well-known voices such as Michael Sheen and Richard Armitage are recognised this year, alongside standout campaigns that champion audio as a vital part of a story’s longevity.
Winner
Cursed Daughters
Oyinkan Braithwaite narrated by Weruche Opia, Diana Yekinni, Nnei Opia Clark
WF Howes
Oyinkan Braithwaite triumphs in this category for her Lagos-set tale of three women, Cursed Daughters, brought to life by a brilliant trifecta of narrators: Weruche Opia, Diana Yekinni and Nnei Opia Clark. The judges were blown away by the “authenticity” and “richness” of the audio edition, hailing the narrators for creating a listening experience that felt deeply human. “I’ve not heard an audiobook like this before,” said one judge.
The panel applauded WF Howes’ commitment to finding a narrator – Yekinni – who could speak Yoruba fluently and voice the character of Ebun authentically. The team worked closely with print publisher Atlantic to execute a collaborative campaign that spotlit both the audio and print edition in tandem. One judge said that WF Howes punched “above its weight” with its masterful casting and campaign. The panel also appreciated the publisher’s delicate touch with sound effects and its pursuit of excellence through difference.
The Shortlist
Beautiful Ugly
Alice Feeney, narrated by Richard Armitage, Tuppence Middleton
Macmillan
Macmillan set out to create a headline digital event with the audiobook for Alice Feeney’s compulsive thriller, Beautiful Ugly. The voices of actors Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton, coupled with subtle soundscape, made the audio a standout format. Macmillan leaned into Feeney’s social media presence, enticed audio influencers and ran a seven-day read-along in the week preceding publication. Audible loved Beautiful Ugly, selecting it as a book of the year.
Cursed Daughters
Oyinkan Braithwaite narrated by Weruche Opia, Diana Yekinni, Nnei Opia Clark
WF Howes
Cursed Daughters, Oyinkan Braithwaite’s multi-generational story of a family curse, was selected as Audible’s Audiobook of the Month on publication. Lengthy auditions led to the casting of Diana Yekinni, a fluent Yoruba speaker who could voice the character of Ebun authentically. Sisters Weruche Opia and Nnei Opia Clark complete the roster. WF Howes uses teaser audio clips and giveaways as key touchstones for their marketing strategy.
One of Us
Elizabeth Day, narrated by Richard Armitage, Oliver Chris, Emilia Fox, Genevieve Gaunt, Bella Maclean
4th Estate
The stellar ensemble cast for Elizabeth Day’s One of Us, which includes Richard Armitage and Emilia Fox, may have recorded their sections separately, but 4th Estate were committed to consistency, providing each narrator with a list of accents that featured in each chapter. A winning partnership with Spotify on their Read Like You Listen campaign helped boost this social satire and Day held an exclusive event at Spotify headquarters.
Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen, adapted by Lulu Raczka, narrated by Marisa Abela, Harris Dickinson, Glenn Close, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Bill Nighy
Audible Original
Last year marked the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth and Audible celebrated in style, creating an audio drama of Pride and Prejudice with actor Marisa Abela adopting the voice of the defiant Elizabeth Bennet. Glenn Close, Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Jessie Buckley support Abela alongside an original score by Grammy-nominated composer Morgan Kibby, which reinvigorates Regency England.
The Long Shoe
Bob Mortimer, narrated by Bob Mortimer, Diane Morgan, Arabella Weir
Gallery UK
Bob Mortimer is joined by actors and comedians Diane Morgan and Arabella Weir to voice his cosy crime, The Long Shoe. Mortimer’s story of a down-on-his-luck bathroom salesman was his biggest audiobook launch yet. Gallery triumphed with 330% increase on week-on-week preorders by savvily deploying joyful content of the trio ad-libbing in the recording studio. The Long Shoe was an instant Audible bestseller and has not left the chart since publication.
The Rose Field: The Book of Dust
Philip Pullman, narrated by Michael Sheen
Penguin Audio
The dulcet tones of actor Michael Sheen bring The Rose Field, the epic finale to the story of Lyra Silvertongue, vividly to life. PRH Audio worked flexibly to account for Sheen’s limited recording time and offered listeners exclusive content of Sheen and Philip Pullman in conversation. Sheen also appeared on This Morning to discuss the novel and Waterstones used excerpts of the recording at their midnight launch.
