Critics choose twelve best fiction books of 2025

The year's best fiction includes Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "Dream Count," a novel exploring the lives of three Nigerian women, and Han Kang's "We Do Not Part," which won her the 2024 Nobel Prize. These books are among the 12 selected as the best fiction of 2025 so far. Other notable works include Torrey Peters' "Stag Dance," Abdulrazak Gurnah's "Theft," and Ocean Vuong's "The Emperor of Gladness." These novels explore diverse themes and settings, from postcolonial East Africa to a dystopian future, showcasing a range of literary styles. The list also features debut novels like Florence Knapp's "The Names" and Catherine Airey's "Confessions," alongside established authors. The selections highlight the breadth and depth of contemporary fiction, offering readers a diverse range of stories.