She Who Remains

Shortlisted for the 2026 International Booker Prize

High in the Accursed Mountains, in a village ruled by the ancient laws of the Kanun, Bekja escapes an arranged marriage by becoming a sworn virgin, renouncing her womanhood to live as a man. Her decision sets off a brutal chain of events, destroying her family and separating her from the one she loves the most. Years later, as Bekija - now Matija - tells their story to a visiting journalist, long-buried truths come to light, along with the realisation of all that might have been.

Format/pages: paperback / 160 pages

ISBN: 9781916806184

Publisher: Peirene Press

Year: 2026