the_successor_kadare
2007 Nominated

The Successor

artwork-image

ABOUT
THE BOOK

A powerful political novel based on the sudden, mysterious death of the man who had been handpicked to succeed the hated Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha.
Did he commit suicide or was he murdered? That is the burning question. The man who died by his own hand, or another’s, was Mehmet Shehu, the presumed heir to the ailing dictator, Enver Hoxha. So sure was the world that he was next in line, he was known as The Successor. And then, shortly before he was to assume power, he was found dead.

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR Ismail
Kadare

ABOUT
THE TRANSLATOR David
Bellos

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Country
Albania
Original Language
Albanian
Author
Publisher
Arcade Publishing
Translator
David Bellos

RELATED FEATURES

News November 19 2025

2026 Nominations Revealed

69 titles have been nominated by 80 libraries from 36 countries for the 2026 Award
News November 19 2025

2026 Dublin Literary Award Judges Announced

Meet our judging panel for 2026 Dublin Literary Award
News May 23 2025

2025 Dublin Literary Award Winner Revealed

Discover this year's winner!
Video May 23 2025

2025 Dublin Literary Award Ceremony

2025 Dublin Literary Award Winner Ceremony live from the International Literature Festival Dublin.

STAY CONNECTED

Stay in touch and sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and updates on the Dublin Literary Award.