Scribe is delighted to share that we have had two books longlisted for the 2024 International Booker Prize: What I’d Rather Not Think About by Jente Posthuma, translated by Sarah Timmer Harvey, and Mater 2–10 by Hwang Sok-yong, translated by Sora Kim-Russell and Youngjae Josephine Bae.
The Booker has stated that this year’s prize was selected from 149 entries — the highest number since the prize was relaunched in 2016. The judging panel for this year’s prize comprised of broadcaster and journalist Eleanor Wachtel, award-winning poet Natalie Diaz, acclaimed novelist Romesh Gunesekera, visual artist William Kentridge, and writer, editor, and translator Aaron Robertson.
The judges commented on What I’d Rather Not Think About to describe it as, ‘A deeply moving exploration of grief and identity through the lives of twins, one of whom dies by suicide. Posthuma delves into the surviving twin’s efforts to understand and come to terms with the loss of her brother, examining the profound complexities of familial bonds. Posthuma navigates delicate themes with sensitivity and formal inventiveness, portraying the nuances of the twins’ relationship and the individual struggles they face. The author skilfully inflects tragedy with unexpected humour and provides a multifaceted look at the search for meaning in the aftermath of suicide. What I’d Rather Not Think About stands out for its empathetic portrayal of love, loss, and resilience.’ A reading guide has been made available by the Booker here.
The judges have described Mater 2–10 as, ‘A sweeping and comprehensive book about a Korea we rarely see in the West, blending the historical narrative of a nation with an individual’s quest for justice. Hwang highlights the political struggles of the working class with the story of a complicated national history of occupation and freedom, all seen through the lens of Jino, from his perch on top of a factory chimney, where he is staging a protest against being unfairly laid off.’ The Booker has also provided a comprehensive reading guide for the book, available here.
Congratulations to all of our writers and translators, as well as to all others on the outstanding longlist. The shortlist will be announced on 9 April.
