Three Women

The result of almost 10 years of reporting, journalist Lisa Taddeo’s Three Women proved itself a frank and detailed exposé of the complexities of female desire. The judges of this category called it a “landmark” book which “grips like a thriller while examining important themes” of feminism and female sexuality.

Judges praised Bloomsbury’s “stellar” publicity campaign, which overcame the potentially tricky sell of a book by an American author relatively little known on these shores—and one about American women. The author visited the UK before publication, on publication and after publication, and was hands-on with author events, interviews and podcasts. The book also garnered significant retail support from Foyles, which stocked two special editions.

The team produced a distinct cover featuring Cornelis de Heem’s painting “A Garland of Fruit”, which aimed to convey the sensitivity of the subject matter without overtly sexualising it. Proofs, postcards, tote bags and window displays made the design feel collectible and significant. One judge felt the design made Three Women “one of the most covetably designed” books of the year. Ultimately, the judges felt this book would become a “classic of the oral history genre, and of feminist writing”.