Izidora Angel on 'She Who Remains' (Nominated for the International Booker Prize - 2026)

Izidora Angel on 'She Who Remains' (Nominated for the International Booker Prize - 2026)

From Harshaneeyam by Harshaneeyam

April 11, 2026 · 35 min · Season 5 · Episode 13

About this episode

The episode features a discussion with translator Izidora Angel about the novel 'She Who Remains' by Renée Karbash, which explores themes of identity and survival in a patriarchal society.

"Welcome to Harshaneeyam. Today, we delve into a powerful work of Bulgarian literature that has recently made its way to the 2026 International Booker Prize shortlist : 'She Who Remains' by Renée Karbash . The novel explores the life of a 'sworn virgin'—a woman who, according to an ancient Balkan tradition, takes a vow of celibacy and lives as a man to gain the rights and status reserved for men in a patriarchal society. However, Karbash moves beyond the tradition itself to examine the psychological weight of this choice. It is a story about identity, the cost of survival, and the profound isolation that comes with erasing one's past. Joining us to discuss this work is the English translator Izidora Angel . Having translated other notable Bulgarian writers like Natalia Deleva, Izidora found this particular project to be uniquely challenging and innovative. In our conversation, she talks about the experience of the book being recognized by the International Booker Prize—from the initial longlist to the formal invitation to London. We also discuss her translation process, specifically how she approached Karbash’s experimental style and the linguistic shifts required to capture a…

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Guest: Izidora Angel

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Books & works: 'She Who Remains'

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