The International Booker Prize is one of the most prestigious literary awards in the world. It was founded in 2005 by the Man Group, a British investment management firm, and it is awarded annually to a work of fiction translated into English from any language. The prize is designed to promote and celebrate the art of literary translation and to encourage more translations of literature into English.
The International Booker Prize has a long list of esteemed winners, including Ismail Kadare, Lydia Davis, Han Kang, and Olga Tokarczuk. In recent years, the prize has gained significant attention and recognition, particularly after it was merged with the Man Booker International Prize in 2016.
The prize money for the International Booker Prize is £50,000, which is split equally between the author and translator of the winning book. The judges for the prize are selected from a wide range of literary professionals, including writers, translators, publishers, and critics.
The criteria for the International Booker Prize are based on literary excellence, originality, and quality of translation. The judges look for books that challenge and expand the boundaries of literary fiction, that showcase the art of translation, and that offer readers a unique and engaging reading experience.
The International Booker Prize has had a significant impact on the publishing industry, particularly on the translation of literature into English. The prize has helped to increase the visibility and recognition of translated literature, which was previously overlooked in the English-speaking world. The prize has also encouraged publishers to take risks on translated works, and it has created a market for translations that might not have otherwise been published.
The International Booker Prize has also helped to promote cultural exchange and understanding between countries and cultures. The prize has brought attention to works of literature from around the world, and it has encouraged readers to engage with different perspectives and cultures. By recognizing and celebrating the best of translated literature, the prize has helped to break down barriers and promote cross-cultural dialogue.
One of the unique features of the International Booker Prize is its focus on translation. Translation is a complex and challenging art, and it requires not only linguistic skill but also cultural understanding and sensitivity. The prize recognizes the importance of translation as a way to bridge linguistic and cultural divides, and it encourages more translations of literature into English.
In recent years, the International Booker Prize has also been praised for its diversity and inclusivity. The prize has recognized works of literature from a wide range of countries and cultures, including those that are often overlooked in the Western literary canon. The prize has also recognized works of literature by women, LGBTQ writers, and writers from marginalized communities.
The International Booker Prize has not been without controversy, however. Some have criticized the prize for being too focused on literary fiction and for ignoring popular genres such as crime and science fiction. Others have criticized the prize for being too Eurocentric and for overlooking works of literature from non-Western countries and cultures.
In response to these criticisms, the International Booker Prize has made efforts to expand its scope and inclusivity. The prize has increased the number of judges from non-Western countries, and it has expanded its eligibility criteria to include books published in any language. The prize has also introduced a separate award for works of literature in translation by young writers.
The International Booker Prize is a significant award in the world of literature, and it has helped to promote and celebrate the art of literary translation. By recognizing and rewarding excellence in translated literature, the prize has helped to break down linguistic and cultural barriers and to promote cross-cultural dialogue and understanding. The prize is a testament to the power of literature to connect people and cultures and to inspire empathy and understanding.| Year | Book | Authors |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Tomb of Sand | Geetanjali Shree |
| Translator: Daisy Rockwell | ||
| 2021 | At Night All Blood is Black | David Diop |
| Translator: Anna Moschovakis | ||
| 2020 | The Discomfort of Evening | Marieke Lucas Rijnevald |
| Translator: Michele Hutchison | ||
| 2019 | Celestial Bodies | Jokhra Alharthi |
| Translator: Marilyn Booth | ||
| 2018 | Flights | Olga Tokarczuk |
| Translator: Jennifer Croft |