PASSIONTIDE – the latest novel by Costa Prize winning author Monique Roffey (THE MERMAID OF BLACK CONCH) – was shortlisted for the very first CARICON Prize for Fiction, a new annual literary award honouring outstanding works by Caribbean authors and storytellers across the diaspora. The paperback edition of the book was published in the UK by Vintage in May, with an American paperback forthcoming from Knopf on 23 September 2025.
In their nomination statement, CARICON called PASSIONTIDE ‘a provocative tale of love, faith and rebellion,’ adding that ‘Roffey confronts the tension between institutional power and human desire, crafting a bold vision of resistance and liberation in a tightly controlled society.’
The awards were started to spotlight voices that explore the richness, complexity, and evolution of Caribbean identity and experience across four categories: Fiction, Poetry, Children’s Literature and Young Adult Literature. Also shortlisted for the Fiction award were VILLAGE WEAVERS by Myriam J.A. Chancey, A HOUSE FOR MISS PAULINE by Diana McCaulay, CASUALTIES OF TRUTH by Lauren Francis-Sharma and The Lost Love Songs of Boysie Singh by Ingrid Persaud.
Rights for PASSIONTIDE were acquired by Alex Russell, Editorial Director at Vintage (UK and Commonwealth) and John Freeman, Executive Editor at Alfred A. Knopf (US) with a French edition to be published by Memoire D’Encrier in 2027. Monique’s previous novel, THE MERMAID OF BLACK CONCH, was a worldwide success, winning the Costa Book of the Year Award 2020 and being nominated for the Goldsmiths Prize, Folio Prize, Republic of Consciousness Prize, OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature, the Orwell Prize and the Ondaatje Prize. It has so far been translated into fourteen languages, and optioned for film.
Congratulations on this latest accolade, Monique!
About PASSIONTIDE
Early one morning, at the close of St Colibri’s carnival, a young female steel-pan player is found dead beneath a cannonball tree. It is a discovery that will transform the lives of everyone on this small island.
As the days pass, this shocking event draws together four women. There’s Sharleen, a journalist with an eye for the real story. Her childhood friend Tara, a pink-haired, straight-talking local activist. Gigi, the ‘notorious’ founder of the Port Isabella Sex Workers Collective. And Daisy, first lady of St Colibri, who is haunted by a disappearance in her own family decades ago.
In a community in which women’s voices are often silenced and violence against them is overlooked time after time, the group soon find themselves compelled to speak out – and to act. But even they could never have foreseen the consequences of their courage…
About Monique Roffey
Monique Roffey, FRSL, is an award-winning Trinidadian-born British writer of novels, essays, literary journalism and a memoir. THE MERMAID OF BLACK CONCH won the Costa Book of the Year Award 2020, and was nominated for eight other major awards. Her other Caribbean novels, THE WHITE WOMAN ON THE GREEN BICYCLE and HOUSE OF ASHES have also been nominated for awards. ARCHIPELAGO won the OCM Bocas Award for Caribbean Literature in 2013. Her work has been translated into many languages and adapted for screen. She was a co-founder of Writers Rebel within Extinction Rebellion and she is a member of the Hard Art collective. She is also a Professor of Contemporary Fiction at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Praise for PASSIONTIDE
‘Roffey is channelling a woman story so deep and old it feels foundational to who we are and can be. Raw and beautiful and in your face, this novel is a liberating read.’ – Julia Alvarez
‘PASSIONTIDE is a bold rallying cry of a novel. Vital, enraging and brilliant. I loved it.’ – Sarah Winman
‘Beautiful and important… By the end of this book, I was ready to join the revolution.’ – Safiya Sinclair
‘PASSIONTIDE has scale, politics and power – a thrilling read, I loved it’ – Sadie Jones
‘The best book I have read in years. It’s so wonderful: so rich, inspiring, funny, moving. A true chronicle of hope, in sisterhood, community, faith and men’ – Rosie Boycott
‘The spirit of carnival itself is in the writing. A powerful and electrifying novel’ – Jason Allen-Paisant
‘A vital novel that addresses a grossly normalised horror – it’s also fiery, funny and ferociously feminist, written with a singular rhythm and style, a beautiful ease.’ – Diana Evans
‘A raging, searing protest cry… A heartfelt novel filled with solidarity, love, joy, and moreover, unflinching honesty.’ – Courttia Newland
‘Riveting… Guided by its intricately drawn characters and razor-sharp characterisation, the novel captivates readers from its opening pages to its compelling conclusion’ – Roger Robinson
‘Once again, and with a terrific, lively cast of police officers, hookers, politicians, mothers, young women, old women, even the dead – Roffey lures you into her mesmerising world and spins an intricate, human story you can't wait to unravel. Yes, let’s smash the patriarchy!’ – Amanda Smyth
‘Roffey’s world-building power is evident on every page… Taken as a whole, PASSIONTIDE offers a devastating critique of the interrelationship between religion, sexism and colonialism… a full-throated campaign for change.’ – Kit Fan, The Guardian
‘The larger-than-life characters and at times ribald humour turn what could be a polemic into an exhilarating fantasy… Roffey’s use of Trinidadian English gives the narrative authenticity, particularity and lyrical energy.’ – Lindsey Hilsum, Times Literary Supplement
‘A masterful exploration of love, identity, and the complexities of human relationships.’ – Chaya Colman & Sophie Ezra, Glamour Magazine, ‘Best new books of June 2024’
‘Suspense-filled and simmering with anger’ – Francesca Peacock, ‘The Best New Fiction’, Mail on Sunday
Praise for Monique Roffey
‘Monique Roffey is a unique talent and most daring and versatile of writers. I never know what to expect and I’m never disappointed.’ – Bernardine Evaristo
‘Monique Roffey is a writer of verve, vibrancy and compassion, and her work is always a joy to read.’ – Sarah Hall
‘Monique Roffey has established herself as a fearless writer with her choices of subject and her visceral style.’ – Kapka Kassabova, The Guardian
