A “raw, visceral and beautiful” novel following almost a century of Korean history and the impact of colonialism is among the books shortlisted for a debut fiction prize.
Honey In The Wound by Jiyoung Han follows a gifted lineage of Korean women displaced across Asia by Japanese imperialism across 90 years of Korean history, and examines the ways colonialism forces one family to transform in order to survive.
It is among the contenders for the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize 2026.
The novel is focused on a girl named Young-Ja, whose family is killed by Japanese soldiers, as she becomes enmeshed in a network of spies and learns to persevere against the brutality of the Imperial Army.
A review by the retailer said the novel is “devastating yet profoundly tender”, while an additional review described it as a “beautiful blend of magical realism and shocking historical events”.
It joins a shortlist of five other books from new authors, which will be voted on by a panel of Waterstones staff with the aim of “inspiring new voices, helping to create bestsellers and establish enduring careers for debut authors”.
A Private Man by Stephanie Sy-Quia is also up for the prize, and has been hailed by Waterstones as “beautifully told” and “strikingly atmospheric”.
Set in 1950s Rome, the “ingenious” novel tells the tale of a forbidden romance between a devoted priest and a woman in an impossible love affair which has generational consequences.
The other books shortlisted are Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash, Under Water by Tara Menon, May We Feed The King by Rebecca Perry and The Infamous Gilberts by Angela Tomaski.
The award is open to fiction novels of all genres, with previous winners including Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon, which won in 2024, and The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty – which took the accolade in the award’s first year, 2022.
Last year’s prize was won by Lucy Steeds for her novel The Artist, who went on to win the coveted Waterstones Book Of The Year prize in 2025.
Bea Carvalho, Waterstones’ head of books, said the retailer is “proud” to present the shortlist, which indicates “an exceptionally bright future for fiction”.
She added: “This is a shortlist which showcases writing of tremendous energy, poetic precision, and spry humour, balancing nostalgia with innovation to stunning effect.
“It features genuinely vital global history and profound questions on the weight of faith and grief, while considering ecological change and the destruction of dynasties and legacies.
“Here, booksellers have championed six bold and confident authors who celebrate the beauty, joy, and absurdity to be found in the every day.
“There is pure magic and electricity in these pages: we cannot wait to share them with our customers, and to see what these exciting authors do next.”
– The winner will be announced on July 16.
