The International Booker Prize 2026 shortlist has been announced and what an interesting group! It's a female strong group of authors with five out of the six being women, and four of the six translators are female. Two debut novels feature on the list including “She Who Remains” and “The Nights are Quiet in Tehran”. Two authors have been listed for the award previously including Daniel Kehlmann for “Tyll” and Marie NDiaye.
I'm thrilled that both “The Director” and “She Who Remains” have been shortlisted! Kehlmann's story powerfully describes what happens to an artist that becomes trapped in a tyrannical government and Karabash's novel follows the dilemma of an individual who has been living in an extremely isolated conservative community. I also greatly enjoyed the gentle, evocative and tricksy tale in “Taiwan Travelogue” which also says something much larger about inherited privilege and translation. Following the fates of a family forced to leave their native Iran in “The Nights Are Quiet in Tehran” is a moving experience in itself, but reading it in the context of the current conflict in Iran makes it all the more poignant. Just yesterday I finished reading “On Earth As It Is Beneath” and it's such a disturbing and impactful story about humanity at its worst (and best) as individuals struggle to survive in an isolated prison run by a mad man. I'm looking forward to reading “The Witch” but it's not published yet.
I'm most surprised that “The Remembered Soldier” hasn't made the shortlist! It's a brilliant and complex story that's thrilling and emotionally impactful. Also, “Women Without Men” was such a surprising discovery and imaginative tale. “The Wax Child” was also a great surprise as this novel is about so much more than a historical witch trial. While I ultimately appreciated “We Are Green and Trembling” and love that it fictionalised a fascinating figure from history I'm not surprised it didn't make the shortlist as its narrative style is a bit frustrating. I'm currently reading “The Duke” and really enjoying it!
What do you think of the shortlist? Are there any which didn't make the list which you were really hoping to see? Will you be reading any from this group of six books? Let me know your thoughts!
