“With narratives that capture moments from across the past century, these books reverberate with history. While there’s heartbreak, brutality and isolation among these stories, their lasting effect is energising,” says Natasha Brown, author chair of this year’s judging panel for the prestigious literary award celebrating the best works of fiction translated into English. Brown and fellow judges, which include broadcaster Marcus du Sautoy, translator Sophie Hughes, Lowle Books founder Troy Onyango, and journalist Nilanjana S. Roy, had the difficult task of reading 128 novels and short story collection, and whittling down a longlist of 13 titles and now, a shortlist of six.

The line-up proves exciting as five of the six authors and four of the six translators are women. Two author/translator pairings have also been previously nominated for the International Booker Prize; will they finally clinch the prize? Additionally, there are two debut novels The Nights are Quiet in Tehran and She Who Remains, up against The Witch, a book finally translated after its first publication 30 years ago.

The list is made up of authors and translators representing eight countries (Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, Taiwan, the UK and the United States) and four continents: Asia, Europe, North America and South America. These author-translator pairs are in the running to win £50,000.