Men are given the brush off in Waterstones’ book of the year contest as pro-female tome that celebrates work of women artists takes the prize

•  The Story of Art Without Men by Katy Hessel, an art historian, won the award
•  The book retells the history of art through the work of female artists
• Waterstones spokesman said the book is ‘as essential as it is enjoyable’

A book retelling the history of art through the work of female artists has been named the Waterstones Book of the Year.

The Story of Art Without Men by Katy Hessel challenges the narrative that men have paved the way in the art world and celebrates female painters, sculptors and visual artists. 

The title is a play on The Story of Art by E H Gombrich, a survey of the art world published in 1950, which featured no women.

Miss Hessel, an art historian, fought off competition from nine shortlisted authors who were vying for the accolade, which is awarded by a panel of Waterstones booksellers.

Katy Hessel’s The Story of Art Without Men, which challenges the narrative that men have paved the way in the art world, was named the Waterstones Book of the Year

Waterstones spokesman Kate Skipper said: ‘It is a must-have for any book lover’s shelf, as essential as it is enjoyable’

Waterstones spokesman Kate Skipper said: ‘Our booksellers championed The Story of Art Without Men from the start. 

‘It is a must-have for any book lover’s shelf, as essential as it is enjoyable.’

The Waterstones Children’s Book of the Year was Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A F Steadman.

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