International Booker Prize 2026 longlist

Book News and Events
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If you are a fan of translated lit then this is your prize list to watch. Here’s the longlist to begin this year’s countdown.

  • 13 books translated from 11 languages, by authors and translators representing 14 nationalities

  • Three debuts, along with 13 previous nominees, including five returning author-translator pairings

  • Two books published in their original languages over 30 years ago; one that is banned in Iran, written by an author previously imprisoned for her writing

  • Authors who include an award-winning actor, a historian of mountains and forests, an environmental and feminist activist, and writers of manga, screenplays and poetry.

    March 31- shortlist of six books/ May 19-winner announced.

https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/prize-years/international/2026

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Well, my TBR list just blew up! Thanks for posting this, Anne! (I think…).

I don’t know that I’ve heard of any of these. Looking forward to investigating them.

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I’ve read The Director and my plans for March include The Remembered Soldier which has been on my tbr far too long. There are several others that sound very intriguing, I agree. I’ll probably wait for the shortlist before jumping in.

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Here’s an interesting note from the chair of the judges panel:

‘Many of the submitted books examined the devastating consequences of war, which is reflected in our longlist. The list also features petty squabbles between neighbours, mysterious mountain villages, Big Pharma conspiracies, witchy women, ill-fated lovers, a haunted prison, and obscure film references. The page counts range from ‘pocket-friendly’ to ‘doorstopper.’ And while the books’ original publication dates span four decades, each story feels fresh and innovative.’ – Natasha Brown

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