Creator and poet Rebecca Perry has been awarded the 2026 Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize for her novel, Might We Feed the King. The guide, lauded as a “scrumptious and dream-like story,” was chosen from a aggressive shortlist of six novels. The prize celebrates probably the most excellent work of debut fiction printed previously yr, as chosen by Waterstones booksellers.
A Novel of Historic Obsession and Parallel Narratives
Might We Feed the King facilities on a recent curator whose skilled life entails meticulously recreating historic settings inside heritage homes. The narrator’s position is to make sure authenticity, stating, “Whenever you see a duplicate feast scene within the nice corridor of an previous constructing, I’m the one that positioned the pomegranates beside the pie.” This meticulous work results in an escalating obsession with a medieval king, the topic of her newest fee. The novel intricately weaves collectively the curator’s present-day experiences with the parallel story of the king, who grappled together with his personal reluctance to rule.
Reviewers have described the novel as a “extremely wrought puzzle-box of a guide which intentionally wrongfoots the reader at each flip.” It’s also famous for richly rewarding readers who method it with curiosity. The narrative construction and thematic depth have positioned Might We Feed the King as a major literary achievement.
Prize Recognition and Creator’s Background
Because the winner of the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize, Rebecca Perry will obtain £5,000 and a dedication from the bookseller to help her ongoing writing profession. Bea Carvalho, Waterstones’ Head of Books, recommended Perry’s “crisp, cool prose” and reiterated the novel’s “scrumptious and dream-like” high quality, noting its immersion in curiosity and nostalgia.
Carvalho additional elaborated on Perry’s strengths, highlighting her “poet’s eye for element and a eager sense of humour.” She noticed that Perry skillfully navigates themes such because the elusive nature of reminiscence and the burden of energy. “Rebecca Perry is an writer to be significantly enthusiastic about and we won’t wait to see what she does subsequent,” Carvalho added, underscoring the anticipation for Perry’s future work.
Perry, a London native, brings a wealthy background in poetry and artistic nonfiction to her fiction. She has beforehand printed two poetry collections, Magnificence/Magnificence and Stone Fruit, together with a number of smaller poetry pamphlets. Her inventive nonfiction work, On Trampolining, additionally showcases her versatility. Perry’s poetic achievements embrace a TS Eliot Prize shortlist nomination, and her debut assortment earned the Michael Murphy Memorial Prize.
Thematic Explorations in ‘Might We Feed the King’
In crafting Might We Feed the King, Perry aimed to delve into a number of key areas. She sought to look at “historic fiction as a style, and the way we narrate historical past.” Moreover, the novel explores the profound capacities of loneliness and creativeness. A central concern for Perry was investigating “finally what occurs when an individual defies what is predicted of them, refusing to step into the tyranny of energy.” These thematic components contribute to the novel’s advanced and thought-provoking nature.
The Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize
The Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize was established in 2022 to acknowledge rising literary expertise. The award is exclusive in that it’s voted on completely by Waterstones’ booksellers throughout the nation, reflecting the insights of those that interact immediately with readers and new publications.
The prize goals to focus on excellent works of fiction from authors embarking on their careers, spanning all literary genres. Earlier recipients of the award embrace:
- Tess Gunty for The Rabbit Hutch
- Alice Winn for In Memoriam
- Ferdia Lennon for Wonderful Exploits
- Lucy Steeds for The Artist (final yr’s winner)
The opposite authors shortlisted for the 2026 prize alongside Rebecca Perry had been Madeline Money for Misplaced Lambs, Jiyoung Han for Honey within the Wound, Tara Menon for Below Water, Stephanie Sy-Quia for A Personal Man, and Angela Tomaski for The Notorious Gilberts. The various vary of shortlisted titles underscores the vibrancy and depth of latest debut fiction.
Conclusion
Rebecca Perry’s win of the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize for Might We Feed the King marks a major second in her literary profession. The novel’s intricate storytelling, thematic richness, and distinctive narrative voice have earned essential acclaim and bookseller recognition. Perry’s background as a poet and nonfiction author informs her distinctive prose and thematic explorations, promising an thrilling future for her as an writer.
