As Duong writes in luminous, exacting prose, his story serves as a reminder of how war can divide and damage people and communities, not only during wartime but also for generations after. Dear Da-Lê stopped my heart and stole my breath, and we are all better off that Duong put to pen his lifelong reckoning with trauma and the costs of war.

— Sarah Weinman Author and this year's Nonfiction judge

The subtle, yet vivid, quality of the language made me savour every page of this novel from the very first sentence. But it was the careful and methodical laying out of potent detail after detail that really got me: the poignant characterizations and the slow burn of the increasingly extraordinary and beautifully original plot made this novel a clear standout.

— Suzette Mayr Author and this year's Literary Fiction judge

A refreshing debut that tackles bipolar disorder with both humour and emotional honesty. Drawing from her own experience, Toshiko Simpson offers insight into what it’s like to live with mental illness—and to love and support someone who does. It’s a story that will likely offer comfort and recognition to some readers, and perspective and empathy to others, all while playing with romantic comedy expectations in a smart and unexpected way.

— Chantel Guertin Novelist and this year's Romance judge