International Booker Prize 2023: Complete list of winners

Georgi Gospodinov’s Time Shelter has claimed the 2023 International Booker Prize for Translated Fiction, marking a significant moment for Bulgarian literature on the world stage. The novel, originally titled Времеубежище in its native language, emerges as this year’s standout work among an exceptional field of translated titles competing for one of publishing’s most prestigious honors. Gospodinov’s dreamlike narrative—which explores memory, history, and the human impulse to escape an increasingly dystopian present—resonated deeply with the judging panel, who recognized it as a work of profound originality and emotional resonance.

The International Booker Prize, which celebrates the finest fiction translated into English from around the world, has long served as a crucial spotlight for authors whose work might otherwise remain unknown to English-language readers. This year’s selection of Time Shelter underscores the award’s commitment to championing bold, unconventional voices that push the boundaries of contemporary fiction. The recognition comes at a moment when translated literature continues to gain momentum in English-speaking markets, proving that readers everywhere are hungry for stories that offer new perspectives and innovative ways of grappling with our shared global moment.

Below, you’ll find the complete details on this year’s International Booker Prize winner and what sets this recognition apart in the literary landscape.

Translated Fiction

• Time ShelterВремеубежище by Georgi Gospodinov