The six finalists for the German Book Prize 2005 have now been named. ”After months of intensive reading and lively, at times passionate debate, on 12 September, the jury found that six novels had emerged at the top. For all of the jury members, there is one title he or she is not entirely happy with - but we are all sure about the shortlist as a whole. It reflects all the risk of writing, but also the chances of reaching a wide public. I was not the only one to be particularly impressed by the fact that discussion with the other jurors changed my view again of one or other of the books.”

Bodo Kirchhoff, jury spokesman

Arno Geiger We Are Doing Well Hanser More

Daniel Kehlmann Measuring the World Rowohlt More

Thomas Lehr 42 Aufbau-Verlag More

Gert Loschütz The Group of Dark People Frankfurter Verlagsanstalt More

Gila Lustiger That`s the way we are Berlin Verlag More

Friederike Mayröcker And I Shook my Beloved Suhrkamp More