Walter Scott historical fiction shortlist announced

The shortlist for the third Walter Scott Prize for historical fiction has been announced in the Scottish Borders. Sebastian Barry, Patrick de Witt, Esi Edugyan, Alan Hollinghurst, Andrew Miller and Barry Unsworth are this year's contenders for the award. The winner will be announced at the Borders Book Festival in Melrose in June. Previous editions of the £25,000 award went to Andrea Levy for The Long Song and Hilary Mantel for Wolf Hall. The shortlist for the prize was announced by the Duke of Buccleuch at the launch of the Borders Book Festival programme