We’re so excited to share the news that Night Train to Odesa by Jen Stout has been shortlisted for the RSL Ondaatje Prize. This esteemed award celebrates distinguished works of fiction, non-fiction or poetry, evoking the spirit of a place. 

Night Train to Odesa chronicles Jen Stout’s time reporting from the war in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion, and is as timely as ever as the war continues to rage on. Jen’s remarkable book focuses on ordinary people in Ukraine and includes stories from the night trains, birthday parties, military hospitals and bunkers: stories from the ground, from a writer with a deep sense of empathy.

This is the latest in a string of accolades for Jen’s debut book, including winning the Saltire Society First Book of the Year Award and being selected as a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week.

The paperback edition of Night Train to Odesa is available now. A huge congratulations to Jen on the recognition of her work, and to all the other well-deserving shortlisted authors.

Find out more about the full RSL Ondaatje shortlist here.