Two South Asian Authors Shortlisted for 2026 Orwell Prize

The Orwell Foundation has announced the finalists for the 2026 Orwell Prize for Political Writing and Orwell Prize for Political Fiction, with two South Asian authors making the cut in the fiction category.

Tahmima Anam’s Uprising (published by Canongate Books) and Daniyal Mueenuddin’s This Is Where the Serpent Lives (published by Bloomsbury Publishing) have been shortlisted for their powerful narratives exploring resistance, class struggle, and systemic oppression.

Anam’s Uprising is a dark, intense, and heart-breaking story of women and children enslaved on a remote island, where a rebellion erupts under the leadership of a defiant newcomer. The judges described it as a “heart-breaking story of women and children enslaved on a small island,” highlighting its raw portrayal of gender hierarchies and caste abuse.

Mueenuddin’s This Is Where the Serpent Lives delves into the feudal structures of Pakistan, weaving a tale of love, betrayal, and survival among characters trapped in cycles of poverty and power. The judges praised it as an “evocative and beautifully written” novel with an “Orwellian ending.”

The Orwell Prize, now in its 16th year, recognizes works that engage with political themes in fiction and non-fiction. This year’s lineup includes authors like Ben Lerner, Susan Choi, and Douglas Stuart, reflecting a global perspective on political storytelling.

The winners will be announced on June 25, with the foundation emphasizing the importance of literature that challenges power and inequality.

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