Rebecca Perry has won the 2026 Waterstones debut fiction prize for her debut novel, “May We Feed the King,” a work that judges describe as dream-like. Reported accounts say the novel stands out for its prose and attention to detail, with praise including “crisp, cool prose” and a “poet’s eye for detail.” The book follows a present-day museum curator whose work involves dressing rooms in historic houses. As the curator takes on a new commission, they become increasingly preoccupied with the story of a medieval monarch featured in the commission. The medieval king’s narrative—set alongside the curator’s experience—centres on his reluctance to rule and unfolds in parallel. One report describes the novel as “lush and haunting,” while another emphasizes its blend of the curator’s contemporary world and the medieval storyline. Perry’s novel is selected from a shortlist of six debut novels for the award.