The Artist by Lucy Steeds has been named this year’s Waterstones book of the year.
The novel, which is set in 1920s Provence and blends mystery with a love story, also took home the Waterstones debut fiction prize earlier this year, and was longlisted for the Women’s prize for fiction.
At the beginning of the novel we meet English journalist Joseph, who is visiting the home of a talented but cantankerous painter living with his subdued niece, Ettie. Joseph hopes to write a profile of the reclusive artist, but soon, to his surprise, becomes his model.
London-based author Lucy Steeds, who also secured the 2025 Waterstones’ Debut Fiction Prize, began crafting the novel during her time living in France. Her win saw her triumph over a strong shortlist that included Sir David Attenborough and Colin Butfield’s Ocean, and Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games prequel, Sunrise On The Reaping.
Waterstones’ head of books, Bea Carvalho, described it as a “gorgeously escapist novel which seamlessly transports the reader to the sticky heat of sun-soaked 1920s southern France.” Steeds “is a writer of staggering, rare talent and it has been a joy to see this bookseller favourite become a word-of-mouth sensation,” she added.
Meanwhile, The Café at the Edge of the Woods by Mikey Please was named children’s book of the year, having won the children’s prize in March. Padella, a pasta cookbook, was chosen as gift of the year.
The winners will receive the “full and committed backing of Waterstones shops and booksellers across the UK”.
Along with the three winning titles, the book of the year shortlist – made up of fiction, nonfiction and children’s contenders – featured Ocean by David Attenborough and Colin Butfield, Universality by Natasha Brown, Donut Squad: Take Over the World! by Neill Cameron, Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins, Craftland by James Fox, The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson, Alice With a Why by Anna James, Katabasis by RF Kuang, So Long, See You Tomorrow by William Maxwell, The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins, Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy and Strange Pictures by Uketsu.
The book of the year is chosen by a panel of Waterstones staff, who select from a shortlist comprised of titles nominated by booksellers. Last year’s winner was Butter by Asako Yuzuki, while I Am Rebel by Ross Montgomery was named children’s book of the year.