Perumal Murugan's Pyre makes into the International Booker Prize 2023 Longlist

International Booker Prize

The longlist for the International Booker Prize 2023 has been released, featuring 13 books translated from 11 different languages from 12 countries across the globe. One of the standout books on the list is ‘Pyre’ by Perumal Murugan, a devastating tale of inter-caste love in rural Tamil Nadu during the 1980s.

The Longlist

The International Booker Prize 2023 Longlist comprises 13 books translated from 11 languages, showcasing literature from 12 countries worldwide. Here is the full list of books on the Longlist.

‘Pyre’ by Perumal Murugan, Translated by Aniruddhan Vasudevan

It tells the tragic story of Saroja and Kumaresan, two lovers from different castes.

‘A System So Magnificent It Is Blinding’ by Amanda Svensson, Translated by Nichola Smalley

A dysfunctional family is brought together when their father disappears.

‘Still Born’ by Guadalupe Nettel, Translated by Rosalind Harvey

It follows two friends who make opposite choices in life: one chooses sterilization, while the other chooses motherhood.

‘Ninth Building’ by Zou Jingzhi, Translated by Jeremy Tiang

Zou Jingzhi’s first-hand experiences growing up during Mao’s Cultural Revolution are brought to life in this fascinating collection of vignettes.

‘While We Were Dreaming’ by Clemens Meyer, Translated by Katy Derbyshire

Described as “startlingly raw and deeply moving,” this debut novel by one of Germany’s most ambitious writers is a powerful exploration of passion, hope, and despair.

‘The Birthday Party’ by Laurent Mauvignier, Translated by Daniel Levin Becker

Through rhythmic and propulsive prose that seamlessly weaves from one consciousness to the next, ‘The Birthday Party’ tells the story of three women and the secrets they keep from others and themselves.

‘Jimi Hendrix Live in Lviv’ by Andrey Kurkov, Translated by Reuben Woolley

Andrey Kurkov’s unique brand of black humor and vodka-fueled magic realism is on full display in ‘Jimi Hendrix Live in Lviv.’

‘Is Mother Dead’ by Vigdis Hjorth, Translated by Charlotte Barslund

‘Is Mother Dead’ by Vigdis Hjorth, translated by Charlotte Barslund, tells the story of Johanna, a middle-aged artist, and her aging mother.

‘Standing Heavy’ by GauZ, Translated by Frank Wynne

‘Standing Heavy’ by GauZ, translated by Frank Wynne, is a sharply satirical and political novel that offers a poignant commentary on colonial legacies and capitalist consumption.

‘Time Shelter’ by Georgi Gospodinov, Translated by Angela Rodel

‘Time Shelter’ by Georgi Gospodinov, translated by Angela Rodel, is an international award-winning sensation with a dystopian twist in its second act.

‘The Gospel According to the New World’ by Maryse Condé, Translated by Richard Philcox

The award-winning Caribbean author takes readers on a spiritual adventure in search of the baby’s origins and mission.

‘Whale’ by Cheon Myeong-kwan, Translated by Chi-Young Kim

‘Whale’ by Cheon Myeong-kwan, translated by Chi-Young Kim, explores the interlinked lives of three characters in a remote village in South Korea.

‘Boulder’ by Eva Baltasar, Translated by Julia Sanches

In ‘Boulder’, Eva Baltasar tells the story of a woman who falls in love with a man on a merchant ship and is given the nickname “Boulder”.

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