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The coveted Nobel Prize in Literature for 2025 has been bestowed upon from Hungary author László Krasznahorkai, as revealed by the committee.

The Committee commended the author's "gripping and imaginative oeuvre that, in the midst of apocalyptic terror, reasserts the power of creative expression."

A Renowned Path of Bleak Narratives

Krasznahorkai is renowned for his bleak, pensive novels, which have garnered several accolades, such as the 2019 National Book Award for literature in translation and the 2015 Man Booker International Prize.

Several of his books, including his fictional works Satantango and The Melancholy of Resistance, have been made into movies.

Early Beginnings

Originating in the Hungarian town of Gyula in 1954, Krasznahorkai first gained recognition with his 1985 first book Satantango, a grim and captivating portrayal of a collapsing countryside settlement.

The book would later secure the Man Booker International Prize honor in English many years later, in the 2010s.

An Unconventional Literary Style

Often described as postmodern, Krasznahorkai is known for his extended, meandering sentences (the dozen sections of Satantango each are a one paragraph), apocalyptic and somber themes, and the kind of relentless intensity that has led reviewers to draw parallels with literary giants like Kafka.

This work was widely adapted into a seven-hour film by director Béla Tarr, with whom Krasznahorkai has had a long working relationship.

"He is a remarkable writer of epic tales in the Central European tradition that traces back to Kafka to Bernhard, and is characterised by absurdist elements and bizarre extremes," commented Anders Olsson, head of the Nobel jury.

He characterized Krasznahorkai’s writing as having "progressed to … flowing syntax with lengthy, intricate lines devoid of full stops that has become his hallmark."

Expert Opinions

The critic Susan Sontag has referred to the author as "the contemporary from Hungary expert of the apocalyptic," while the writer W.G. Sebald praised the wide appeal of his outlook.

A handful of Krasznahorkai’s works have been translated into the English language. The critic James Wood once noted that his books "get passed around like rare currency."

Worldwide Travels

Krasznahorkai’s literary path has been shaped by exploration as much as by language. He first left communist his homeland in the late 80s, spending a period in West Berlin for a grant, and later found inspiration from Asia – especially Mongolia and China – for novels such as The Prisoner of Urga, and his book on China.

While developing War and War, he journeyed extensively across the continent and stayed in Ginsberg's New York residence, noting the famous Beat poet's backing as vital to finishing the work.

Author's Perspective

Inquired how he would explain his oeuvre in an interview, Krasznahorkai answered: "Characters; then from these characters, words; then from these terms, some short sentences; then additional phrases that are more extended, and in the main very long paragraphs, for the period of decades. Elegance in writing. Fun in despair."

On fans discovering his writing for the initial encounter, he continued: "Should there be individuals who are new to my works, I couldn’t recommend a particular book to peruse to them; on the contrary, I’d suggest them to step out, settle in a place, perhaps by the side of a brook, with no obligations, no thoughts, just remaining in silence like boulders. They will sooner or later come across a person who has previously read my books."

Award Background

Prior to the declaration, oddsmakers had ranked the top contenders for this annual award as Can Xue, an innovative Chinese novelist, and the Hungarian.

The Nobel Prize in Literature has been given on over a hundred past events since 1901. Latest recipients include the French author, the musician, Abdulrazak Gurnah, Glück, the Austrian and Olga Tokarczuk. Last year’s honoree was Han Kang, the Korean writer best known for her acclaimed novel.

Krasznahorkai will officially receive the award and document in a ceremony in winter in Stockholm, Sweden.

Additional details forthcoming