Here are the finalists for the 2026 Cercador Prize.
Yesterday, the Cercador Prize, which recognizes works of literature in translation, selected by independent booksellers across the US, announced its 2026 finalists. This year’s committee includes Pierce Alquist of Brookline Booksmith (Brookline, MA) (Chair), Sophie Chen of Belmont Books (Belmont,.
The Cercador Prize is an annual award established to honor outstanding works of literature in translation. Unlike traditional literary prizes that focus on original works, the Cercador Prize specifically recognizes books written in languages other than English and then translated into English. The prize is selected by a committee of independent booksellers from the United States, who evaluate submissions based on literary merit, cultural significance, and the quality of the translation. The 2026 prize will be announced on November 16th, with the winning translator receiving a cash prize of $1,000. The prize aims to celebrate the diversity of global literature and highlight the importance of translation in making these works accessible to English-speaking readers.
The 2026 Cercador Prize finalists were chosen by a five-member committee of independent booksellers from across the United States. The committee was chaired by Pierce Alquist of Brookline Booksmith in Brookline, Massachusetts, and included Sophie Chen from Belmont Books (Belmont, MA), Mikayla Bryant from Books Are Magic (Brooklyn, NY), Lou Barcott from Myopic Books (Chicago, IL), and James Webster from Recluse Books (Fort Worth, TX). The committee selected 10 finalists from a pool of submissions, representing a variety of languages, genres, and cultural backgrounds. The finalists include works originally written in French, Norwegian, Dutch, Bulgarian, Russian, Catalan, Chinese, and Swedish, highlighting the global scope of the prize.
The 2026 Cercador Prize finalists include ten books translated from different languages into English. Some notable works are The Monroe Girls by Antoine Volodine (translated from French by Alyson Waters), Repetition by Vigdis Hjorth (translated from Norwegian by Charlotte Barslund), and The Song of Stork and Dromedary by Anjet Daanje (translated from Dutch by David McKay). Other finalists are She Who Remains by Rene Karabash (translated from Bulgarian by Izidora Angel), Eden At Dawn by Karim Kattan (translated from French by Jeffrey Zuckerman), and Pure Men by Mohamed Mbougar Sarr (translated from French by Lara Vergnaud). The remaining finalists are My Dreadful Body by Egana Djabbarova (translated from Russian by Lisa C. Hayden), Dams by Irene Solà (translated from Catalan by Mara Faye Lethem), City Like Water by Dorothy Tse (translated from Chinese by Natascha Bruce), and Event Horizon by Balsam Karam (translated from Swedish by Saskia Vogel).
The Cercador Prize plays a significant role in the literary world by promoting translated literature and supporting independent booksellers. Independent booksellers, who are often deeply connected to their local communities, bring a unique perspective to the selection process. Their involvement ensures that the prize reflects diverse tastes and trends in reading. The prize also highlights the critical role of translators, who bridge linguistic and cultural gaps, making global literature accessible to English-speaking audiences. By awarding $1,000 to the winning translator, the prize acknowledges the often underappreciated work of translation. The announcement of the winner on November 16th is eagerly anticipated by authors, translators, and readers alike.
