The winner of the International Booker will be announced tomorrow. This is my first time reading the shortlist and I am (mostly) glad I did. Have you read any and what did you think? Who do you want to win? I have a clear favourite. My brief thoughts below.

She Who Remains by Rene Karabash Translated from Bulgarian by Izidora Angel ⭐4.75 stars⭐ This was a wonderfully unique and captivating read. The writing is beautiful, closer to poetry than prose. The translation is wonderful. But not recommended if you feel attached to punctuation! The story is about a girl whose father wanted a boy. When she refuses to marry and instead becomes a sworn virgin, it ignites a blood feud in her village. This is a powerful and short novel. Violence and brutality simmers under the surface without becoming gruesome.

The Director by Daniel Kehlmann Translated from German by Ross Benjamin ⭐4 stars⭐ An Austrian movie director comes back to Vienna from Hollywood to see his mother and gets stuck when WW2 breaks out. He is pressed into working for the Nazis to create propaganda films. Told from a great range of points of view and perspectives, this book looks at moral compromise and art. I really liked the writing style, a bit jolting, with a lot of snappy dialogue. It is an insightful and engaging read.

On Earth as it is Beneath by Ana Paula Maia Translated from Portuguese by Padma Viswanathan ⭐4 stars⭐ This book is hard to review. Set in an isolated prison where the guards are cruel and have complete power. It is brutally violent and short. The writing is excellent and it is a gripping read. I came out of it unsure what to think - I don't know if I missed a point beyond violence.

Taiwan Travelogue by Yang Shuang-zi Translated from Mandarin by Lin King ⭐3.75 stars⭐ A fictional travelogue by a Japanese traveller in Taiwan. A gentle and thoughtful novel full of quiet anger and love. It was interesting and very well written, but the structure didn't quite work for me. Still enjoyable and memorable.

The Nights are Quiet in Tehran by Shida Bazyar Translated from German by Ruth Martin ⭐3.5 stars⭐ Four people and four decades. The story of modern Iranian history through the eyes of one family living in Germany. I thought it was interesting and I liked some sections, but it didn't leave a strong impression overall.

The Witch by Marie Ndiaye Translated from French by Jordan Stump ⭐2 stars⭐ This is ostensibly the story of a witch who doesn't have the same skills as her mother and her twin daughters. But really it isn't about much at all. There is a bit about her relationship with her ex and mother-in-law, but honestly, I can barely remember anything happening. There are a couple of pieces of imagery that stuck in my mind, featuring the daughter's magic, but that is about it. I didn't get a sense of the characters or their lives or anything. Disappointing because it sounded very interesting.