site.btaAustria Selects Georgi Gospodinov’s "Death and the Gardener" as September Book of the Month

Death and the Gardener, the novel by the renowned Bulgarian writer Georgi Gospodinov, has been selected as the September Book of the Month by the Austrian Booksellers’ Association, the organization said on its website on Monday. The novel was published by Aufbau.

The jury said Gospodinov’s novel is a true stroke of luck: having mastered the novel form, he embarks on an autobiographical narrative about his father’s death, managing to preserve the literary power of this dramatic event. At the same time, Gospodinov does not allow the personal experience to strip him of his storytelling mastery. The narrator constantly reflects, weaving a network of recollection and anticipation, and keeps the focus on the father to reveal an entire world. Death and the Gardener is one of the most exciting novels in recent years, the jury concluded.

Book of the Month is a literary initiative in Austria, launched in 2018 by the Austrian Booksellers’ Association (Hauptverband des Österreichischen Buchhandels) in cooperation with O1 Radio. The programme aims to highlight outstanding contemporary literature and foster a closer connection between bookstores and readers across the country, the organizers noted.

Each month, a jury selects an exceptional book, which is then promoted through participating bookstores. These titles are prominently displayed in stores, accompanied by posters and digital materials, and featured in discussions on O1 Radio. More than 120 bookstores participate in the programme, making it a significant cultural event on Austria’s literary scene.