Jenny Erpenbeck and Michael Hofmann have clinched the 2024 International Booker Prize for Erpenbeck's novel "Kairos," which delves into personal and political themes. Translated by Hofmann from German, the book depicts a relationship amid the collapse of East Germany. This win marks Erpenbeck as the first German writer and Hofmann as the first male translator to receive this esteemed accolade. The £50,000 prize will be evenly divided between them.

Love, Violence, and Political Turmoil

The story focuses on the romantic connection between 19-year-old Katherina and Hans, a married writer in his 50s. Initially marked by closeness and shared experiences, their relationship progressively declines into acts of violence and harshness. This decline mirrors the political turmoil in Germany at the time, mirroring feelings of disappointment and disillusionment.

Erpenbeck portrays "Kairos" as both a story of the ascent and decline of deep love and a depiction of the downfall of an entire political system. It encapsulates the transformation of something seemingly right at the outset into something profoundly flawed, questioning how something initially perceived as correct can ultimately devolve into something incorrect.

Judge Eleanor Wachtel described "Kairos" as a 'richly textured evocation of a tormented love affair,' noting how deftly it intertwines personal and national transformations. Wachtel highlighted the rich language and rhythm of Erpenbeck's sentences, and she applauded Hofmann's translation for capturing her eloquence and emotional depth.

The decision to award "Kairos" was made with significant agreement among the judging panel, surprising Wachtel with the level of consensus achieved. Erpenbeck received recognition for her previous works, including being longlisted for the prize in 2018.

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Critically Acclaimed Novel

Critics praised Erpenbeck's novel for its captivating depiction of a love story amid tragedy. In her review for The Guardian, Natasha Walter described "Kairos" as exceptionally beautiful, applauding Erpenbeck's consistent narrative style and Hofmann's elegant translation.

John Powers of NPR praised Erpenbeck's adeptness in merging pain and pleasure within the narrative, highlighting her exceptional ability to depict the evolution of ideas, passions, and choices amidst historical turbulence. He suggested that Erpenbeck's mature and profound storytelling positions her as a potential candidate for the Nobel Prize in the years to come.

Writing for the Los Angeles Times, Charles Finch hailed Erpenbeck as the shining star of contemporary German literature in America. He described her as possessing a dynamic intellect, evident in her ability to merge her acclaimed works' emotional and historical aspects seamlessly.

Past Recipients and Shortlisted Works

The shortlisted books for the prize included "Not a River" by Selva Almada, "The Details" by Ia Genberg, "Mater 2-10" by Hwang Sok-yong, "What I'd Rather Not Think About" by Jente Posthuma, and "Crooked Plow" by Itamar Vieira Junior.

The judging panel, consisting of poet Natalie Diaz, novelist Romesh Gunesekera, visual artist William Kentridge, and writer Aaron Robertson, joined Wachtel in selecting "Kairos" as the winner.

Previous recipients of the International Booker Prize include Han Kang, Olga Tokarczuk, and Lucas Rijneveld, who highlighted the diverse range of voices and stories celebrated by the award.

Last year's winner was Georgi Gospodinov with his book "Time Shelter." It is about a psychiatrist who establishes the first 'clinic for the past' in Zurich, where each floor replicates a different decade to help Alzheimer's patients retrieve their fading memories. However, even healthy people seeking an escape from daily life are drawn to it.

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