Ian McEwan's What We Can Know was named Blackwell's Book of the Year 2025, the Bookseller reported. The novel had previously been named Blackwell's fiction book of the year, joining Alice with a Why by Anna James, illustrated by Matthew Land (children's book of the year) and Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy (nonfiction book of the year).
Zool Verjee, Blackwell's commercial manager, said, "What We Can Know stands out as one of Ian McEwan's very best. It is many things: masterful, multi-faceted and thought-provoking, a piece of speculative fiction, a literary mystery and a thorough examination of truth, but ultimately it is a captivating read with superlative storytelling."
McEwan commented: "Wonderful to be honored by marvelous Blackwell's, by those in daily contact with people who love literary fiction. I'm absolutely delighted."