The six shortlisted novels have been announced. The works are each translated from a different language and originate from a different country, with three continents represented on the list.
The 2022 shortlist includes previous winners Olga Tokarczuk and Jennifer Croft alongside authors translated into English for the first time. The shortlist spans six languages: Korean, Norwegian, Japanese, Spanish, Hindi and Polish.
Wildly original works of literature that will captivate readers, this year’s shortlisted books all explore trauma, whether on an individual or societal level. The winners of the prize will be named on 26 May 2022.
The Shortlist
Heaven by Mieko Kawakami, translated by Sam Bett and David Boyd.
Told through the eyes of a 14-year-old boy subjected to relentless bullying, this is a haunting novel of the threat of violence that can stalk our teenage years.
Elena Knows by Claudia Piñeiro, translated by Frances Riddle
A unique story that interweaves crime fiction with intimate tales of morality and the search for individual freedom.
A New Name: Septology VI-VII by Jon Fosse, translated by Damion Searls
Jon Fosse delivers both a transcendent exploration of the human condition and a radically ‘other’ reading experience – incantatory, hypnotic, and utterly unique.
Tomb of Sand by Geetanjali Shree, translated by Daisy Rockwell
An urgent yet engaging protest against the destructive impact of borders, whether between religions, countries or genders.
The Books of Jacob by Olga Tokarczuk, translated by Jennifer Croft
Olga Tokarczuk’s portrayal of Enlightenment Europe on the cusp of precipitous change, searching for certainty and longing for transcendence.
Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung, translated by Anton Hur
Bora Chung presents a genre-defying collection of short stories, which blur the lines between magical realism, horror and science fiction.