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The coveted Nobel Prize in Literature for this year has been granted to from Hungary author László Krasznahorkai, as announced by the Nobel awarding body.

The Jury praised the 71-year-old's "compelling and visionary collection that, in the midst of apocalyptic fear, reasserts the power of creative expression."

An Esteemed Career of Dystopian Narratives

Krasznahorkai is known for his dystopian, pensive novels, which have won many prizes, for instance the 2019 National Book Award for literature in translation and the 2015 Man Booker International Prize.

A number of of his books, among them his fictional works Satantango and The Melancholy of Resistance, have been adapted into movies.

Early Beginnings

Originating in the Hungarian town of Gyula in the mid-1950s, Krasznahorkai first gained recognition with his 1985 debut novel his seminal novel, a grim and mesmerising representation of a disintegrating countryside settlement.

The work would eventually earn the Man Booker International Prize award in translation nearly three decades later, in the 2010s.

A Distinctive Prose Technique

Frequently labeled as postmodern, Krasznahorkai is famous for his long, winding prose (the 12 chapters of Satantango each comprise a single paragraph), bleak and pensive motifs, and the kind of unwavering force that has led reviewers to compare him to Kafka, Melville, and Gogol.

Satantango was famously adapted into a seven-hour movie by director Béla Tarr, with whom Krasznahorkai has had a long working relationship.

"Krasznahorkai is a great author of grand narratives in the Central European heritage that extends through Franz Kafka to the Austrian writer, and is characterised by absurdist elements and bizarre extremes," said Anders Olsson, chair of the Nobel jury.

He described Krasznahorkai’s writing as having "evolved into … smooth language with long, winding lines devoid of periods that has become his trademark."

Expert Opinions

Sontag has referred to the author as "the modern Hungarian genius of the apocalyptic," while Sebald applauded the universality of his outlook.

A handful of Krasznahorkai’s books have been rendered in the English language. The critic Wood once remarked that his books "circulate like rare currency."

Worldwide Travels

Krasznahorkai’s literary path has been influenced by travel as much as by literature. He first exited the communist his homeland in 1987, spending a twelve months in the city for a scholarship, and later found inspiration from Eastern Asia – especially Asian nations – for novels such as a specific work, and his book on China.

While working on this novel, he journeyed extensively across the continent and stayed in the legendary poet's New York residence, noting the renowned Beat poet's backing as vital to completing the novel.

Author's Perspective

Questioned how he would characterize his work in an interview, Krasznahorkai responded: "Letters; then from letters, vocabulary; then from these terms, some brief phrases; then additional phrases that are longer, and in the main exceptionally extended phrases, for the span of 35 years. Elegance in language. Enjoyment in darkness."

On readers encountering his books for the first time, he noted: "For any individuals who haven’t read my novels, I would not suggest anything to read to them; instead, I’d advise them to step out, settle at a location, maybe by the side of a brook, with no obligations, no thoughts, just remaining in tranquility like rocks. They will sooner or later encounter someone who has previously read my works."

Literature Prize History

Prior to the declaration, bookmakers had ranked the frontrunners for this year’s award as the Chinese writer, an experimental from China novelist, and Krasznahorkai.

The Nobel Honor in Literary Arts has been given on over a hundred previous occasions since 1901. Recent recipients include the French author, the musician, the Tanzanian-born writer, Louise Glück, Peter Handke and the Polish author. The most recent recipient was the South Korean writer, the from South Korea novelist renowned for The Vegetarian.

Krasznahorkai will formally be presented with the prize medal and diploma in a event in December in the Swedish capital.

Additional details forthcoming