Stanford Dolman Travel Book
of the Year

Philip Marsden’s Rising Ground, an exploration of the landscape around his remote farmhouse in Cornwall nominated for the Wainwright Prize earlier this year, leads this year’s Stanford Dolman Travel Book of the Year shortlist.
 

Speaking at the shortlist announcement on Thursday evening at Stanfords, Covent Garden, Chair of Judges Barnaby Rogerson said “We want the winner of the Stanford Dolman Travel Book of the Year to be able to showcase the continued point, purpose and glory of travel writing. These six authors, through their style, humour, veracity and commitment have proven themselves exemplars of this Stanford Dolman spirit.”

Joining Marsden’s book on this year’s list are Helena Attlee’s beautiful account of the humble lemon’s role in Italian culture, The Land Where the Lemons Grow; Horatio Clare’s tales of bravery from the decks of giant container ships, in Down to the Sea in Ships; Nick Hunt’s retracing of Patrick Leigh Fermor’s famous journey from the Hook of Holland to the Golden Horn, Walking the Woods and the Water; Jens Mühling’s remarkable vignettes from the heart of a little- discussed Russia, A Journey Into Russia; and Elizabeth Pisani’s revelatory account of her travels in Indonesia, Indonesia Etc.

Chris Schüler, Chairman of the Authors’ Club, said, “The Authors’ Club has administered the Dolman Prize since 2005 in order to promote works of literary merit that instil a sense of place, excitement and wonder. We are greatly impressed by the quality and breadth of this
year’s shortlist, which demonstrates that this inspirational genre is in vigorous health.”

Stanfords announced sponsorship of the Dolman prize earlier this year, doubling its funds and adding it to the newly created Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards alongside the Edward Stanford Award for Outstanding Contribution to Travel Writing.

The winner will be announced on 28 September at a ceremony at the National Liberal Club in London, where they will be presented with a cheque for £5,000 and a specially commissioned globe by master globe-makers Lander & May of the Isle of Wight.

Carys Bray wins 
Best First Novel Award

 
‘A Song for Issy Bradley’ beats five strong contenders
 
Author Carys Bray (left) was presented with a cheque for £2,500 by guest adjudicator Susie Boyt at a prize ceremony at the National Liberal Club, London, on 17 June.
 
A Song For Issy Bradley (Hutchinson) draws on Bray’s own upbringing as a Mormon in Lancashire, in its portrait of a family coming to terms with a child’s death as they interrogate their faith. The club members said of the book: ‘Despite the central sadness, this is an uplifting and very warm account of an unusual upbringing and a hidden world.’
 
Carys Bray is also the author of Sweet Home (Salt), a collection of prizewinning short stories. She lives with her husband and four children in Southport.
 
The shortlist:

• The Letter Bearer by Robert Allison (Granta)
• A Song for Issy Bradley by Carys Bray (Hutchinson)
• The Fair Fight by Anna Freeman (Weidenfeld)
• Ishmael’s Oranges by Claire Hajaj (Oneworld)
• Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey (Penguin)
• The Restoration of Otto Laird by Nigel Packer (Sphere)

 The Authors' Club Best First Novel Award was inaugurated in 1954 and past winners have included Brian Moore, Alan Sillitoe, Paul Bailey, Gilbert Adair, Naseem Aslam, Diran Adebayo, Jackie Kay, Susan Fletcher, Nicola Monaghan, Laura Beatty, Anthony Quinn, Jonathan Kemp, Kevin Barry, I J Kay and Ros Barber jointly (2013) and Jack Wolf.
 
The £2,500 prize money has been provided by an anonymous donor.