Reading guide: She Who Remains by Rene Karabash, translated by Izidora Angel
Dark and poetic, She Who Remains is a novel about identity, gender, love, freedom, and societal norms
Rene Karabash
Rene Karabash (born Irena Ivanova) is a Bulgarian poet, writer, screenwriter, actor and playwright
She has won multiple awards for her work, including several Best Actress awards for her role in the film Godless. Her debut novel, She Who Remains, was awarded the 2019 Elias Canetti Prize, Bulgaria’s most prestigious literary award. It has been translated into over a dozen languages, and a film, adapted by the author, is set to be released in 2026. The English language edition, translated by Izidora Angel, was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize 2026. Karabash is also the author of the collection Omar’s Letters to His Future Wife, and is working on her second novel.
Author photo © Yana Lozeva
Told with understated poetry, this novel perfectly captures the slippery uncertainty of painful memories. Matija is a compelling narrator, whose story swept us up completely. She Who Remains is an unforgettable modern fairy tale
— The International Booker Prize 2026 judges on She Who Remains
All nominated books
A dark and poetic novel about identity, gender, love, freedom, and societal norms
