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May We Feed the King

Longlisted for the Booker Prize 2026

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May We Feed the King

By: Rebecca Perry
Narrated by: Ian Dunnett Jr., Sarah Barron
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LONGLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 2026
WINNER OF THE WATERSTONES DEBUT FICTION PRIZE
AN OBSERVER BEST DEBUT NOVELIST 2026


She is a curator who spends her time dressing the rooms of historic buildings to bring them to life. But in the lush private quarters of a medieval palace, she finds herself so transfixed by the reign of an almost-forgotten King that the edges of her life begin to blur.

He is a reluctant ruler with no hunger for power, rushed to the throne after the untimely deaths of his older brothers. But it isn't long before whispers begin to fly around the court. And with the growing belief that the King is not fit for the throne comes the idea that another might rule in his stead.

May We Feed the King
dances between the lives of a historical subject who risks the future of his kingdom and a woman who turns to the past to hide from her present. Laced with desire and longing, it is a playful, stirring meditation on history and storytelling: on what makes a King 'Great', and a life meaningful.

©2026 Rebecca Perry (P)2026 SNR Audio
Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Medieval Science Fiction Royalty
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I liked the different narrative voices and viewpoints that shaped the narrative. It should be Booker shortlisted.

Interesting perspective of history

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Loved this, it is unusual but exquisite and will make future historic house visits at once more interesting but also sadly never quite up to the mark

Language poetic, very thought provoking

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Beautifully read and written. Really does justice to the book. Hope it makes Booker short list

Magical lyricism

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