This afternoon, the
Langum Charitable Trust announced the eight novels on the 2016 shortlist for the David J. Langum, Sr. Prize in American Historical Fiction. From the press release, they are:
Barkskins, by Annie Proulx (Scribner)
Champion of the World, by Chad Dundas (Putnam)
The Cigar Factory: A Novel of Charleston, by Michele Moore (Univ. of South Carolina Press)
Exile on Bridge Street, by Eamon Loingsign (Three Rooms Press)
Fates and Traitors: A Novel of John Wilkes Booth, by Jennifer Chiaverini (Dutton)
A Friend of Mr. Lincoln
, by Stephen Harrigan (Knopf)
Ginny Gall, by Charlie Smith (Harper)
I Will Send Rain
, by Rae Meadows (Henry Holt)
How many have you read? I've read two, and the links above go to the reviews on my site.
The 2016 winner and finalist will be announced in about a month. For more details on the prize, see the
Langum Charitable Trust. To submit a novel for consideration, view the
directions available at the site. The
readers' guidelines for the prize may also be of interest.
The prize is awarded annually to the "best book in American historical fiction that is both excellent fiction and excellent history." Last year's winner was Faith Sullivan's
Good Night, Mr. Wodehouse (Milkweed Editions). See the site for
details on previous winners and finalists.