Jenny Erpenbeck Wins 2024 Booker Prize for "Kairos"

Berfin Ceren Meray
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The Booker Prize, one of the most prestigious literary awards in the world, has announced its 2024 winner. German author Jenny Erpenbeck has been awarded the prize for her novel 'Kairos.'

The Man Booker Prize has been one of the world’s most prestigious literary awards since 1969.

Initially awarded to authors from the Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland for works written in English, it later expanded to an international scope. The prize is awarded each year by a panel of changing judges.

This year’s Booker Prize winner is German author Jenny Erpenbeck for her novel "Kairos."

Erpenbeck has made history as the first German author to receive this esteemed award.

Michael Hofmann, who translated "Kairos" from German to English, is the first male translator to win this prize.

According to reports, the £50,000 prize will be shared between Erpenbeck and Hofmann. Hofmann’s translation is praised for capturing the eloquence and eccentricity of Erpenbeck’s writing, the rhythm of her inverted sentences, and the breadth of her emotional vocabulary.

Erpenbeck reflected on her award, stating, “It has been 30 years since the disappearance of the country I was born in, which gave me the courage to look back and carefully research what I had unconsciously experienced.”

This is Erpenbeck’s fourth novel, and she has also been recognized on award lists for her second and third books.

The 2023 Booker Prize winner was Irish author Paul Lynch for his novel "Prophet Song."

Lynch’s dystopian novel tells the story of a family’s struggle as Ireland edges towards totalitarianism.