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.
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13 books translated from 11 languages, by authors and translators representing 14 nationalities
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Three debuts, along with 13 previous nominees, including five returning author-translator pairings
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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
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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
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.
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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The International Booker shortlist has now been announced for 2026. Here it is:
International Booker Prize 2026 Shortlist
Taiwan Travelogue by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ, translated from Mandarin Chinese by Lin King: “A bittersweet story of love between two women, nested in an artful exploration of language, history and power.”
The Witch by Marie NDiaye, translated from French by Jordan Stump: “A mediocre witch, in a mediocre marriage, tries to pass on her gifts to her twin daughters, who, it becomes apparent, have skills far beyond her own.”
On Earth As It Is Beneath by Ana Paula Maia, translated from Portuguese by Padma Viswanathan: “An unsettling novel that sets us among an isolated group of men whose bonds break down in ways both hard to comprehend and impossible to look away from.”
The Director by Daniel Kehlmann, translated from German by Ross Benjamin: “An artist’s life and a pact with the devil: this is a novel about the dangerous illusions of the silver screen.”
She Who Remains by Rene Karabash, translated from Bulgarian by Izidora Angel: “A dark and poetic novel about identity, gender, love, freedom, and societal norms.”
The Nights Are Quiet in Tehran by Shida Bazyar, translated from German by Ruth Martin: “Set across four decades, from 1979 to 2009, this is a polyphonic novel of one family’s flight from and return to Iran.”
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I’ve only read The Director from this list. I didn’t love it but it has had pretty universal acclaim.
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Thanks, @Anne_Glasgow! You’re right on the ball. It’s much appreciated.
I haven’t managed to read any of them yet!
I haven’t read or basically heard of any of them
That’s exactly why I find this particular prize list so interesting @Lynne_G I don’t read much translated literature but I am trying to expand my scope and this is a good source of the books that are highly regarded.
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