Literary Fiction· Serbia
The Tiger's Wife
by Téa ObrehtAggregate Editorial Score85/100
★Women's Prize for Fiction
Published 2011361 pagesEnglish
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Téa Obreht's The Tiger's Wife (2011) stands as one of the most significant works of literary fiction of its era. A young Serbian doctor tries to piece together the mystery of her grandfather's final journey, interweaving his wartime past with folk tales about a deathless man and a tiger's wife. Obreht's Orange Prize-winning debut is a stunning blend of realism and magical folklore. Themes of myth, Balkans, war run through the work. The book has received recognition from Women's Prize for Fiction 2011.
Book Details
About the Category
📖 Literary Fiction
Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.
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🇷🇸 Serbia
This book is part of Serbia's rich literary tradition.
Explore books from Serbia →Editorial Assessment
First published in 2011, Téa Obreht's The Tiger's Wife is a work of literary fiction that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with myth, Balkans, war, family gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre.
Among its recognitions: Women's Prize for Fiction 2011. With an editorial score of 85/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys.
The appeal of The Tiger's Wife lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of myth, Balkans, war, family is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page.
Within Serbia's literary landscape, Téa Obreht occupies a significant position. The Tiger's Wife is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.
Awards & Recognition
Women's Prize for Fiction
winner · global
201185
Téa Obreht is a celebrated author from Serbia known for influential works of literary fiction.
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