BOOK #12 “SMALL BOAT” BY VINCENT DLECROIX, TRANSLATED FROM FRENCH BY HELEN STEVENSON, LONGLISTED FOR #INTERNATIONALBOOKERPRIZE2025

Small Boat is a fictionalized account of a real-life tragedy that occurred in November 2021, when an inflatable dinghy carrying migrants capsized in the English Channel, resulting in the deaths of 27 people. The story is told from the perspective of a French coastguard radio operator, who finds herself repeatedly questioned by the police in the aftermath. Her voice is measured, professional, yet haunted, revealing the tension between what she heard, what she did, and what she wished she could forget. She becomes both a witness and participant in a tragedy that refuses to be neatly explained.

“DON’T YOU FIND IT SOMEHOW OBSCENE, WHEN TWENTY-SEVEN PEOPLE HAVE DIED THROUGH YOUR FAULT, TO BE FEELING SORRY FOR YOURSELF, WHEN SURELY WE SHOULD BE FEELING SORRY FOR THEM? BECAUSE THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT YOU’VE BEEN DOING, RIGHT FROM THE START, THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT YOU’RE IMPLYING: YOU’RE MORE CONCERNED FOR YOURSELF THAN FOR THOSE MEN AND WOMEN.“

Reading Small Boat felt like entering a space of difficult, necessary reflection. It raises meaningful questions, though I personally found the repetition to slow the momentum a little. That said, I think this is one of those books whose impact depends a lot on the reader’s state of mind.

BOOK #11 “THERE’S A MONSTER BEHIND THE DOOR” BY GAELLE BELEM,TRANSLATED FROM FRENCH BY KAREN FLEETWOOD & LAETITIA SAINT-LOUBERT , LONGLISTED FOR #INTERNATIONALBOOKERPRIZE2025

Set in 1980s Réunion, ‘There’s a Monster Behind the Door’ is a striking literary debut that is a humorous picaresque tale. Written by Gaëlle Belem—the first novel penned by a Réunionese woman—this coming-of-age tale gives a rare voice to a child growing up in a dysfunctional and neglectful household on the French island of Réunion.

The unnamed narrator, a curious and sharp-witted young girl, lives with parents who are glued to horror films and indifferent to her emotional needs and basic care. Her questions are routinely silenced with the flat, final refrain:

“THAT’S THE WAY IT IS, AND THAT’S THAT.”

Despite the grim reality of her upbringing—including neglect, hunger, and emotional isolation—Belem masterfully balances the narrative with biting humour and irony. One of the most memorable passages is the narrator’s hilarious and mockingly detailed account of her parents’ wedding, where the guests, the food, and the cake are all described with cutting sarcasm.

Books become her salvation. She reads voraciously—anything she can get her hands on—with a hunger that’s both literal and metaphorical:

“I READ EVERYTHING... I WOULD HAVE SOLD MY FATHER FOR A PICSOU MAGAZINE OR A MICKEY PARADE GÉANT.”

There are also brief but poignant references to the girl’s ancestry, hinting at a legacy of slavery—an understated nod to Réunion’s colonial history and its lasting imprint on identity and family structures.

What makes this novel so compelling is its tonal complexity. Belem creates a voice that is funny, emotionally detached, and quietly tragic, all at the same time. The narrator rarely expresses frustration or sadness outright, but the emotional depth simmers just beneath the surface, making the reader feel the weight of what’s left unsaid.

The translator's note at the beginning of the book offers insight into the collaborative process of bringing this vibrant, multi-tonal narrative into English. Karen Fleetwood and Laetitia Saint-Loubert do an admirable job of preserving the rhythm, irony, and cultural richness of Belem’s original prose.

There’s a Monster Behind the Door is a brilliant and unforgettable debut—a novel that makes you laugh even as it reveals deep emotional wounds, blending charm, wit, and poignancy in equal measure. It’s a powerful reminder of the resilience of children, the neglect that often goes unnoticed.

BOOK #10 “ON A WOMAN’S MADNESS” BY ASTRID ROEMER,TRANSLATED FROM DUTCH BY LUCY SCOTT, LONGLISTED FOR #INTERNATIONALBOOKERPRIZE2025

Astrid Roemer’s On a Woman’s Madness tells the story of Noenka, a bold, independent woman from Suriname who refuses to conform to societal expectations. Her name, meaning “never ever,” is fitting—within nine days of her marriage, she leaves her abusive husband and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. She moves to Paramaribo, the capital, where she embraces a new life, first falling in love with a man named Ramses and later with a white woman, Gabrielle.

This novel is a challenging read, both in structure and theme. Fragmented and nonlinear, it explores difficult topics such as rape, domestic violence, societal oppression, and emotional trauma. Roemer’s prose, rich with symbolism and poetic flourishes, evokes the spirit of The Colour Purple by Alice Walker. While the two books differ in style, parallels can be drawn between Celie and Nettie’s relationship in The Colour Purple and Noenka and Gabrielle’s bond. Both women in Roemer’s novel are married to men, yet their lives take unexpected turns.

The narrative is haunting, often unsettling, and carries a deep sense of restlessness. Noenka, though silent at times, is unwavering in her determination to defy patriarchal norms and carve her own path. Despite enduring both physical and emotional abuse, she refuses to succumb to societal pressures. Her love for orchids and nature offers brief moments of serenity amidst the turmoil, and her relationship with her mother—both tender and strained—adds to the novel’s emotional complexity.

This is an intense and deeply affecting work of queer literature. Roemer masterfully captures the emotional depth of her characters while weaving rich imagery and poignant themes throughout the narrative. The translation by Lucy Scott does justice to the original, bringing to life a novel that was first published in Dutch in 1982 and only recently translated in 2024.

A brilliant novel, On a Woman’s Madness is a powerful and necessary read. I sincerely hope it makes it to the shortlist!

 
 

BOOK #9 “RESERVOIR BITCHES” BY DAHLIA DE LA CERDA

TRANSLATED FROM SPANISH BY JULIA SANCHES & HEATHER CLEARY, LONGLISTED FOR #INTERNATIONALBOOKERPRIZE2025

UN Facts on Violence Against Women:

Globally, 6% of women report having been subjected to sexual violence by someone other than their husband or partner.
In 2023, around 51,100 women and girls worldwide were killed by their intimate partners or other family members—an average of 140 women or girls every day murdered by someone within their own family.
These staggering statistics form the brutal reality that Reservoir Bitches lay bare. Through thirteen interconnected stories, Dahlia de la Cerda offers an unflinching exploration of femicide, sexual violence, and abuse, particularly in Mexico. Each story presents a different perspective, showing the diverse experiences of women from various backgrounds.

The book does not shy away from the darkest aspects of gender-based violence. While social media and society often highlight glamour, luxury, and celebration, Reservoir Bitches forces readers to confront the horrifying flip side—rape, murder, and the unrelenting fear many women live with. There are no easy resolutions here; most stories end in devastation, reflecting the grim reality that countless women face.

One particularly heartbreaking story, Sequins, follows a transvestite character, highlighting themes of marginalization and vulnerability. While many of the book’s stories explore femicide and sexual violence, Sequins stands out for its portrayal of the violence and discrimination faced by gender-nonconforming individuals.

Yet, amid the darkness, moments of human connection shine through. The friendship between Yuliana and Regina is especially touching, offering a brief but meaningful contrast to the otherwise painful reality.

The translation by Julia Sanches and Heather Cleary is exceptional, preserving the raw emotion and intensity of the original text while making it accessible to a wider audience.

Reservoir Bitches is not just a book—it is a harrowing and necessary reminder of the violence women endure daily. It is unsettling, heartbreaking, and essential reading.

BOOK #8 “HUNCHBACK” BY SAOU ICHIKAWA, TRANSLATED FROM THE JAPANESE BY POLLY BARTON, LONGLISTED FOR #INTERNATIONALBOOKERPRIZE2025

The protagonist, Shaka Izawa, has myotubular myopathy, a rare genetic disorder. Her spine is S-shaped, making it difficult for her to sit at certain angles. Shaka is an independent thinker who studies, tweets, and shares her writing online, challenging conventional expectations. Though her parents are no longer alive, they ensured she would be well cared for and left her with considerable wealth.

Shaka resides in Ingleside, a group home that she owns, named after Anne of Ingleside from L. M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables series, which she deeply admires. Despite relying on others for physical assistance, she asserts her individuality through social media and her writing, which includes pornographic literature. Her story makes us think about independence, control, and the way society perceives disability.

I loved her love for furikake:
“FURIKAKE WAS AN INDISPENSABLE ITEM FOR GETTING THROUGH THE TASTELESS MEALS THAT THEY SERVED HERE AT THE GROUP HOME, TOO. I GUESSED FURIKAKE WAS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT SAVED PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF THEIR FINANCIAL STATUS.”

Though short in length, Hunchback is a powerful and deeply introspective read. It delves into Shaka’s emotions and experiences with honesty, portraying both her frustrations and her resilience.

Saou Ichikawa, the author of Hunchback, is the first disabled author to win the Akutagawa Prize for this novella.

BOOK #7 “EUROTRASH” BY CHRISTIAN KRACHT, TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN BY DANIEL BOWLES, LONGLISTED FOR #INTERNATIONALBOOKERPRIZE2025

Some books leave you speechless, and this is one of them. As the description promises, it is truly a masterpiece-in-miniature—a small book packed with depth, humor, and heartache.

The story follows the narrator and his ailing mother as they embark on a journey together. Their relationship is complicated, shaped by a past that is as unsettling as the present. The mother, struggling with dementia and alcoholism, carries the weight of old wounds, while the son navigates their shared history with a mix of tenderness and frustration.

The title is symbolic both literally and metaphorically, representing the wealthy Europeans who are excessively indulgent and superficial, hinting at moral and cultural decay.

What makes this book stand out is its unique storytelling—serious yet funny, fragmented yet deeply moving. The absurd twists and poignant moments keep the reader engaged. I loved the stories told by the narrator, which both the mom and I enjoyed—they added warmth and humor to an otherwise unsettling tale.

Though the beginning is somewhat elusive, requiring a reread to fully grasp, the effort is well worth it. The narrative oscillates between past and present, creating an experience that is both disorienting and profoundly beautiful.

It’s a tough read, but one that lingers long after the last page. A truly different and unforgettable book with an amazing translation.


 

BOOK #3 THEORY AND PRACTICE BY MICHELLE DE KRETSER, LONGLISTED FOR STELLA PRIZE 2025

Michelle de Kretser is an acclaimed Australian novelist, born in Sri Lanka and relocated to Australia in 1972 at the age of 14. She has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize. Her novel The Lost Dog was longlisted for the Booker Prize in 2008, and her 2017 work, The Life to Come, was shortlisted for the 2018 Stella Prize.

I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to read this book—thank you, Stella Prize, for the digital copy.

Theory & Practice is a novel that demands deep contemplation. It begins with an excerpt from a novel-in-progress, only for the narrator to declare that the story has stalled.

The narrator, a young Sri Lankan-Australian woman, is immersed in her master’s research thesis on Virginia Woolf. Her academic journey is interwoven with personal relationships, particularly her involvement with Kit, who is in a ‘deconstructed’ relationship with another woman, Olivia. While the complexity of this love triangle is intriguing, I found the sections on her research into Virginia Woolf even more compelling.

The novel blurs the lines between memoir, fiction, and essay. Although it delves into the narrator’s personal life, it also explores literary theories and philosophical musings on political figures and artists. One of the novel’s central themes is encapsulated in the line:

“THEORY AND PRACTICE REMAINED DISTINCT ACTIVITIES THAT OCCUPIED SEPARATE ROOMS IN MY MIND.”


Throughout the book, we are reminded of the tension between theory and practice. The narrator has a poster of Virginia Woolf in her room and affectionately refers to her as “Woolf Mom,” drawing comparisons between Woolf and her own mother while reflecting on the imperfections of motherhood. As readers, we gain insight into her thought process—sometimes conflicted, sometimes chaotic. Her studies require her to engage with weighty literary works, further enriching the novel’s intellectual depth.

I particularly loved the sections exploring Virginia Woolf’s work, where the narrator presents thoughtful, rational interpretations of various theories.

Writing a review for this book is challenging because it resists categorization—it is introspective, layered, and thought-provoking. Michelle de Kretser has crafted a novel that is as intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging.

BOOK #6 “PERFECTION” BY VINCENZO LATRONICO, TRANSLATED FROM THE ITALIAN BY SOPHIE HUGES, LONGLISTED FOR #INTERNATIONALBOOKERPRIZE2025

Anna and Tom, expats in Berlin, lead an aesthetically perfect life.  They work freelance jobs and have a ravishing house filled with attractive items, parties, hosting dinners, and social events, documenting all these on Instagram. The descriptions are so vivid that one sees it as though scrolling through a feed. 

But how long can this last? The couple soon begins to feel a sense of ennui.

A couple compelled to lead their lives in an unrealistically tailored reality that is shaped by the demands of digital media.  The novel’s third-person narration enhances this effect, adopting the perspective of an omniscient observer—almost like a silent stalker—who knows everything about Anna and Tom, scrutinizing even the smallest details of their lives.

In an age where social media influences nearly every aspect of our existence, Perfection raises timely questions: How do we keep up with the ever-changing trends? What does popularity truly mean when friendships exist primarily in the digital sphere? Are the people who appear happiest online actually happy? And when we compare our lives to curated posts, are we measuring our happiness by reality or illusion?

FOMO (fear of missing out) permeates the novel, reflecting the anxieties of modern life. Perfection captures the struggles of a generation obsessed with digital validation—building their identities around what they perceive as happiness, only to question it constantly.

This is Vincenzo Latronico’s fourth novel in Italian but his first to be translated into English. Remarkably, it reads as though it were originally written in English, maintaining a sharp and immersive narrative.

A short yet powerful book that encapsulates the digital age in all its contradictions.

BOOK #5 “UNDER THE EYE OF THE BIG BIRD” BY HIROMI KAWAKAMI, TRANSLATED FROM THE JAPANESE BY ASA YONEDA, LONGLISTED FOR #INTERNATIONALBOOKERPRIZE2025

This remarkable collection of fourteen interconnected yet distinct stories presents a thought-provoking glimpse into the future. With a nonlinear narrative structure reminiscent of Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, the book weaves together themes of genetic modification, artificial intelligence, and the evolving nature of motherhood and reproduction. Readers who enjoyed Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro or The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood will find this an equally compelling and imaginative exploration of these futuristic themes.

One of the standout stories, "The Miracle Worker," follows Aisha, a woman gifted with the ability to see people's past and present while possessing the extraordinary power to heal.

Another gripping tale, "Love," introduces Kyla, a scanner who collects data on human emotions and identity, highlighting a society divided between "watchers" and "scanners." This concept of monitoring and analysis felt particularly intriguing.

In "Fleeting Lives," the narrative shifts to a world where women significantly outnumber men, creating a fascinating social dynamic.

The final story, "Are You There, God?" takes a more philosophical turn, delving into themes of science, spirituality, rebirth, and existentialism. It is both contemplative and deeply thought-provoking.

Though the book is a challenging read, its execution is brilliant. The beautifully created worlds and exploration of futuristic possibilities make it an intellectually rewarding experience. With its innovative storytelling and compelling themes, this collection is a must-read for fans of speculative fiction.

THE THINNING BY INGA SIMPSON, LONGLISTED FOR STELLA PRIZE 2025

The word "Thinning" symbolizes the dwindling of forests, the extinction of species, and overall environmental decline. Inga Simpson’s novel paints a haunting picture of a world grappling with the consequences of ecological destruction.

Fin, our protagonist, and her mother, Dianella—an astrophotographer—are always on the move, constantly alert and ready to run. During their journey, Fin encounters Terry, an "Incomplete"—a different breed of human. Together, they set out on a quest to witness a solar eclipse. Before they part ways, Fin’s mother gives her a bright orange watch, synchronized with her own, counting down the moments until the eclipse.

Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the novel is more than just a survival story—it serves as an eye-opener to pressing environmental issues such as pollution, deforestation, and the loss of biodiversity. The narrative moves fluidly between the present and the past, offering glimpses into Fin’s childhood. In the world they inhabit, the reefs are dead, and koalas are extinct, underscoring the devastating impact of human actions on nature.

As a sci-fi dystopian novel, The Thinning touches on themes of fertility and survival, reminiscent of The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. One of the most captivating aspects of the book is Fin’s observations about different bird species and rare creatures, such as the pink slug, which is found only on Mount Kaputar in Australia.

Though Simpson paints a bleak vision of the future, her novel serves as a stark reminder of the environmental crisis unfolding in our world today. It highlights not only the havoc we wreak on Earth but also the troubling reality that humanity’s reach extends beyond our planet, threatening even outer space.

With its accessible prose and profound message, The Thinning is a compelling read—both a cautionary tale and a call to action. A must-read for those who appreciate thought-provoking, environmentally conscious literature.