The longlist for the 2025 German Book Prize has been revealed, showcasing a diverse selection of six novels chosen by a jury. The announcement was made Tuesday by the German Publishers and Booksellers Association.
The shortlisted titles include “Die Holländerinnen” by Dorothee Elmiger, “Die Ausweichschule” by Kaleb Erdmann, “ë” by Jehona Kica, “Haus zur Sonne” by Thomas Melle, “Am Samstag gehen die Mädchen in den Wald und jagen Sachen in die Luft” by Fiona Sironic and “Wachs” by Christine Wunnicke.
According to jury spokesperson Laura de Weck, the selection reflects a common thread of exploring psychological, societal and political depths. “It’s no coincidence that we delve into psychological, societal and political abysses with this year’s shortlist” de Weck stated. “Whether cautiously, intricately, with wit or radicality, the novels are consistently of a high literary standard. Despite the variety of narrative techniques and linguistic approaches, the novels seem to resonate with each other, particularly in themes of violence and tenderness.
The jury reviewed a total of 229 submissions published between October 1, 2024 and September 16, 2025, in the selection process. The award ceremony will take place on October 13, 2025, marking the opening of the Frankfurt Book Fair in the Kaisersaal of the Frankfurt Römers. Authors will not learn of their success until the evening of the ceremony. The winner will receive a prize of €25,000, while the remaining five finalists each receive €2,500.