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Hungarian Author László Krasznahorkai Awarded Nobel Prize in Literature
Hungarian writer László Krasznahorkai, renowned for his philosophical and often bleakly funny novels that frequently unfold in mesmerizing, single-sentence narratives, has been honored with the Nobel Prize in Literature. The Swedish Academy praised his “compelling and visionary oeuvre that, in the midst of apocalyptic terror, reaffirms the power of art.”
In their announcement, the Nobel judges lauded Krasznahorkai’s “artistic gaze which is entirely free of illusion, and which sees through the fragility of the social order combined with his unwavering belief in the power of art,” as stated by Steve Sem-Sandberg of the Nobel committee. They further described him as “a great epic writer in the Central European tradition that extends through [Franz] Kafka to Thomas Bernhard, and is characterized by absurdism and grotesque excess.”
A Glimpse into the Nobel-Winning Work
Zsuzsanna Varga, a Hungarian literature expert at the University of Glasgow, explained that Krasznahorkai’s apocalyptic and surreal novels delve into the “utter hopelessness of the condition of human existence,” yet remarkably manage to be “incredibly funny.” Varga notably characterized his nearly endless sentences as the “Hotel California” of literature – once readers immerse themselves, “you can never leave.”
His celebrated works include “The Melancholy of Resistance,” a surreal and disturbing narrative set in a small Hungarian town, and “Baron Wenckheim’s Homecoming,” a sprawling saga centered on a gambling-addicted aristocrat. Several of his pieces, including his debut, “Satantango,” and “The Melancholy of Resistance,” have been adapted into films by the acclaimed Hungarian director Béla Tarr.
For those new to Krasznahorkai’s writing, Varga suggests starting with “Satantango,” remarking on its evocative title: “Satan who is dancing a tango – I mean, how surreal can you be?” The author has also penned books inspired by his extensive travels to China and Japan.
The Path to Nobel Recognition
Sem-Sandberg revealed that Krasznahorkai had been on the Nobel committee’s radar for some time, consistently producing “one outstanding work after another” over “almost half a century of pure excellence.” The 71-year-old author, who was born in the southeastern Hungarian city of Gyula and initially studied law before focusing on literature, could not be immediately reached for comment following the announcement.
A vocal critic of autocratic Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, especially concerning his government’s insufficient support for Ukraine following the Russian invasion, Krasznahorkai’s win prompted a public congratulations from Orbán. Despite their political differences, Orbán posted on Facebook: “The pride of Hungary, the first Nobel Prize winner from Gyula, László Krasznahorkai.
Congratulations!” Earlier this year, Krasznahorkai had expressed his dissatisfaction with both Orbán’s political system and the prevalent nationalism in Hungarian society, telling a Swedish newspaper, “There is no hope left in Hungary today and it is not only because of the Orbán regime.
The problem is not only political, but also social.” He also admitted to the paper that while it would be “very interesting to get that prize,” he would be “very surprised if I got it.”
Previous Accolades and This Year’s Nobel Lineup
Krasznahorkai has received numerous awards throughout his distinguished career, including the prestigious Man Booker International Prize in 2015. The Booker judges lauded his “extraordinary sentences, sentences of incredible length that go to incredible lengths, their tone switching from solemn to madcap to quizzical to desolate as they go their wayward way.” He also earned the National Book Award for Translated Literature in the U.S. in 2019 for “Baron Wenckheim’s Homecoming.”
The late American writer and critic Susan Sontag famously described Krasznahorkai as the “contemporary master of the Apocalypse.” He also shared a friendship with American poet and writer Allen Ginsberg, often staying at Ginsberg’s New York City apartment during his visits.
Krasznahorkai is the first Hungarian recipient of the literature prize since Imre Kertesz in 2002, joining an illustrious list of laureates that includes literary giants such as Ernest Hemingway, Toni Morrison, and Kazuo Ishiguro.
This literature prize marks the fourth Nobel announcement this week, following the 2025 Nobels in medicine, physics, and chemistry. The Nobel Peace Prize winner is expected to be announced on Friday, with the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences following on Monday.
Nobel Prize award ceremonies are traditionally held on December 10th, commemorating the anniversary of founder Alfred Nobel’s death in 1896. Nobel, a wealthy Swedish industrialist, was the inventor of dynamite. Each prize includes an award of nearly $1.2 million, along with an 18-carat gold medal and a diploma.