Where to start reading Ismail Kadare’s books

Ismail Kadare was a titan of European literature whose works have inspired comparisons to the likes of Nikolay Gogol, Franz Kafka and George Orwell. His unique voice, deeply rooted in the history and culture of his native Albania yet universal in its appeal, earned him a devoted following worldwide.

Translations of Kadare’s novels appear in more than 40 countries. He was awarded the inaugural International Booker Prize in 2005 for his entire body of work, going on to shape the prize’s format when he insisted on sharing it with his long-time translator David Bellos.

Hailed as ‘one of Europe’s most consistently interesting and powerful contemporary novelists’ by the Los Angeles Times, Kadare’s body of work offers a profound look at the human condition through the lens of Albania's tumultuous history. British and Albanian singer-songwriter Dua Lipa also paid homage to the author in her keynote speech at the Booker Prize 2022 ceremony: ‘Through Kadare, I learnt about the Albanian spirit of resistance, that same stubborn determination that keeps Kosovans fighting for international recognition of our independence today.’

For those looking to dive into the rich literary world he created, here are seven essential Ismail Kadare reads to get you started.