Martina Hefter wins 2024 German Book Prize

Martina Hefter's novel "Hey guten Morgen, wie geht es dir?" ("Hey, Good Morning, How Are You?") won the 2024 German Book Prize on Monday.

The jury praised the book as a cleverly choreographed work with "a very unique attraction."

"In a fascinating way, the novel combines gruelling everyday life with mythological figures and cosmic dimensions, navigating between melancholy and euphoria, reflecting on trust and deception."

The 59-year-old author lives in Leipzig. She is not only an author, but also a dancer and performance artist, just like the protagonist of her novel.

That character, a woman in her mid-50s called Juno, lives in two worlds. During the day she takes care of her seriously ill husband, at night she dives into the internet.

The German Book Prize is considered one of the most important awards in the industry and was presented for the 20th time on Monday. The seven-member jury reviewed a total of 197 novels from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Hefter was one of six finalists.

The book prize is endowed with a total of €37,500 ($41,000). The winner receives €25,000, with the other authors on the shortlist each receiving €2,500.