From Colonial Trauma To Nazi-Era Directors: Inside The International Booker 2026 Shortlist

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Last Updated:May 18, 2026, 23:38 IST

International shortlist highlights include novels by Daniel Kehlmann, Marie NDiaye, Shida Bazyar, Ana Paula Maia, Rene Karabash and Yáng Shuāng-zǐ exploring history and identity.

‘The Director’ by Daniel Kehlmann (Germany) Inspired by filmmaker G.W. Pabst, The Director explores moral compromise and survival under Nazi rule. The novel examines art, propaganda and complicity during the Third Reich, making it one of the favourites this year. (Image: Amazon.in)

‘The Witch’ by Marie NDiaye (France) French writer Marie NDiaye’s dark and surreal novel follows a woman navigating family tensions and unsettling transformations. The book blends psychological fiction with elements of folklore. (Image: Amazon.in)

The Nights Are Quiet in Tehran’ by Shida Bazyar (Germany/Iran) This multi-generational saga follows an Iranian family across decades of political upheaval, exploring exile, memory and identity. Critics have praised its emotional depth and portrayal of migration. (Image: Amazon.in)

‘On Earth As It Is Beneath’ by Ana Paula Maia (Brazil)At just over 100 pages, the novella is set in a penal colony built on a former slave plantation. Themes of violence, punishment and survival dominate the haunting narrative. (Image: Amazon.in)

‘She Who Remains’ by Rene Karabash (Bulgaria)A debut novel, She Who Remains tackles gender roles, tradition and identity through experimental storytelling. It is among two debut works on the shortlist. (Image: Amazon.in)

‘Taiwan Travelogue’ by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ (Taiwan) Set in 1930s colonial Taiwan, the novel combines travel writing, romance and historical reflection. The book examines colonialism and cultural identity through an unusual narrative style. (Image: Scribe Publications)

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