She Who Remains Shortlisted for International Booker Prize 2026

We are delighted to share the news that She Who Remains by Rene Karabash, translated from Bulgarian by Izidora Angel, has been shortlisted for the International Booker Prize 2026. 

The judges wrote: ‘In a village governed by archaic laws in the Albanian Alps, a teenage girl swears a vow of chastity to escape an arranged marriage. As a ‘sworn virgin’, with a new name, Matija is free to live as a man. But that freedom comes at a cost that tears Matija’s family apart. Told with understated poetry, this novel perfectly captures the slippery uncertainty of painful memories. Matija is a compelling narrator, whose story swept us up completely. She Who Remains is an unforgettable modern fairy tale.’

We want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Rene and Izidora for this incredible achievement. 

To view the full longlist click here.