The International Booker Prize has long been recognized as one of the most prestigious awards in the literary world, shining a spotlight on the best works of translated fiction. In 2025, this award continues to honor the creative voices of authors from around the world, whose works have been translated into English and are available to a global audience. The shortlist for the 2025 International Booker Prize showcases the diversity of storytelling and the brilliance of translators who help make these works accessible to readers in the UK, Ireland, and beyond. With a range of genres, languages, and themes, the 2025 shortlist reflects the richness of contemporary global literature.
The 2025 International Booker Prize Shortlist: A Diverse Selection of Titles
The six books shortlisted for the 2025 International Booker Prize represent a wide array of voices, cultures, and literary traditions. For the first time, the list includes a novel written in Kannada, which expands the geographic and linguistic scope of the prize. This year’s selection also highlights a mix of novels and a short story collection, offering readers a chance to experience both expansive narratives and concise, powerful storytelling. The International Booker Prize features works across various genres, from fiction to nonfiction, reflecting the diversity and depth of global literature. The six titles on the shortlist are:
- A Leopard-Skin Hat by Anne Serre, translated from French by Mark Hutchinson
- Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq, translated from Kannada by Deepa Bhasthi
- Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico, translated from Italian by Sophie Hughes
- Small Boat by Vincent Delecroix, translated from French by Helen Stevenson
- Under the Eye of the Big Bird by Hiromi Kawakami, translated from Japanese by Asa Yoneda
- On the Calculation of Volume (Book I) by Solvej Balle, translated from Danish by Barbara J. Haveland
Each of these works brings its own unique perspective to the global conversation, reflecting themes of identity, resilience, and human connection, while transcending cultural boundaries.
The Role of Translators in the 2025 Shortlist: Bridging Cultures
One of the most significant aspects of the International Booker Prize is its emphasis on the work of translators. The 2025 shortlist showcases the remarkable efforts of translators who make it possible for these books to reach English-speaking audiences. Translators play a critical role in preserving the nuances of the original text while making it accessible and relatable to readers from different cultural backgrounds.
This year, translators like Deepa Bhasthi (for Heart Lamp) and Mark Hutchinson (for A Leopard-Skin Hat) have brought stories from Kannada and French into English, enabling readers to engage with literature from countries and cultures that may be less familiar. Their work is an essential part of the prize, as it allows readers to experience stories that may otherwise be inaccessible. The translation process is not merely about words; it’s about conveying the emotion, rhythm, and underlying themes of the original work in a way that resonates with a global audience.
Independent Publishers: A First for the 2025 Shortlist
A notable trend in the 2025 International Booker Prize shortlist is the strong presence of independent publishers. For the first time in the prize’s history, all six shortlisted books are published by independent presses. This speaks to the growing influence and importance of smaller publishers in the global literary ecosystem.
Independent publishers have always been at the forefront of championing diverse voices and unique storytelling, and their inclusion in the shortlist is a testament to their commitment to bringing high-quality literature from around the world to English-speaking readers. The publishers behind the shortlisted books include respected names such as New Directions, Fitzcarraldo Editions, and Granta Books, each known for their dedication to publishing literary works that push boundaries and provoke thought.
What to Expect from the 2025 Winner: Themes, Style, and Innovation
The shortlisted books for the 2025 International Booker Prize span a wide variety of themes, from the deconstruction of gender roles in Heart Lamp to the exploration of societal perfection in Perfection. These works are not only a window into the cultures from which they originate but also provide deep insights into universal human experiences.
Readers can expect to find innovation in both narrative structure and thematic exploration. Whether it’s the fragmented, introspective prose of On the Calculation of Volume (Book I) or the complex, emotion-driven storytelling in Under the Eye of the Big Bird, the shortlisted books promise to challenge readers’ perceptions and offer new ways of engaging with fiction. The variety in style and content speaks to the global nature of the prize, showcasing the breadth of storytelling that exists in the world today.
Conclusion: The Importance of Translated Fiction and the Future of the International Booker Prize
The 2025 International Booker Prize shortlist highlights the significance of translated fiction in fostering global literary dialogue. By honoring books that have crossed linguistic and cultural barriers, the prize encourages readers to explore works from beyond their own borders and experience the diversity of human stories. As the prize continues to celebrate the art of translation and the power of storytelling, it offers a glimpse into the future of global literature—one where voices from all corners of the world are heard and appreciated.
With the winner to be announced on May 20, the 2025 International Booker Prize not only recognizes excellence in literature but also underscores the vital role of translation in making these works accessible to a wider audience. It is a celebration of global voices, and in many ways, it reflects the ever-expanding horizons of modern storytelling.