She Who Remains

René Karabash’s groundbreaking Bulgarian LGBTQ+ novel draws readers into a remote Albanian village where the ancient Kanun of Lekë Dukagjini—a rigid code of honor and law—still shapes everyday life, casting a shadow as imposing as the surrounding mountains.

At its center is Bekija, who understands all too well the limits placed on her desires. In response, she makes the fateful decision to become a “sworn virgin,” a choice that sets in motion a devastating set of consequences, fracturing her family, unraveling a deep bond, and exposing wounds that cannot easily heal. Yet within this pain lies a difficult kind of truth, revealing how trauma can force transformation.

A fearless meditation on womanhood within a world shaped by entrenched patriarchal violence, She Who Remains has left a lasting impression on readers across Europe, and through Izidora Angel’s acclaimed translation, continues to resonate with a wider audience.

Shortlisted for The International Booker Prize 2026