Nominees for the book awards reveal a "questionable authenticity"
German Book Prize 2025 Longlist Unveils a Diverse and Thought-Provoking Selection
The German Book Prize, one of the country's most prestigious literary awards, has unveiled its longlist for 2025, showcasing a diverse array of 20 outstanding novels that reflect the complexities and uncertainties of our world. The longlist, which will be reduced to a shortlist on September 16, features a mix of debut and established authors, each bringing their unique voice and perspective to the table.
The autobiographically influenced novels on the longlist delve into personal and historical trauma, the consequences of war, displacement, and the ongoing quest for identity. One such novel is Jehona Kicaj's "ë," a poignant exploration of the experience of being a child of Kosovo war refugees. The novel offers a powerful narrative that gives voice to a past that cannot be erased, emphasizing themes of diaspora, war, and the search for identity and language.
Another compelling autobiographical work is Kaleb Erdmann's "The Detour School," which tackles the school shooting at an Erfurt high school from a deeply personal perspective. The book, praised as "the saddest, funniest, and best thing I've read in a long time" by bestselling author Caroline Wahl, offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective on this tragic event.
Peter Wawerzinek, known for his autobiographically influenced books, contributes to the longlist with a novel that explores human transience after a cancer diagnosis, touching upon themes of love, strength, and healing.
The longlist also features six women writers (Bach, Khayyer, Kicaj, Nandi, Schwenk, Sironic) with their first works. Among them, Jina Khayyer's "In the Heart of the Cat" tells the story of growing up as a child of refugees from Kosovo, while Jacinta Nandi's "Single Mom Supper Club" tackles the societal issues faced by single mothers with black, radical humor.
The competition also includes novels that reflect the present by looking either to the past or the future. For instance, Marko Dinić's "Book of Faces" uses language to ridicule Putin's propaganda in a comical and absurd way about the Ukraine war. Nava Ebrahimi's "And Feathers Everywhere" is a mix of serial storytelling and social satire centered around a chicken slaughterhouse.
The jury, guided by language design, narrative behavior, and the frightening present, reviewed over 229 titles published or set for publication between October 2024 and September 2025. The winner of the German Book Prize 2025 will be announced on October 13, the day before the Frankfurt Book Fair, with the winner receiving 25,000 euros and each shortlisted author receiving 2,500 euros.
Laura de Weck, the jury spokeswoman, stated that the competition is not about worrying about the future of literature, but about understanding the present and its circumstances. According to her, the competition features diverse writing styles and unique voices, bringing together twenty different titles, including works by Feridun Zaimoglu, Nava Ebrahimi, and Peter Wawerzinek.
In summary, the German Book Prize 2025 longlist presents a compelling selection of novels that engage with personal and historical trauma, the consequences of war, displacement, and the ongoing quest for identity, often framed within a larger reflection on precarious realities and societal uncertainties.
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