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

The Academy praised the 71-year-old's "gripping and imaginative collection that, within cataclysmic fear, reasserts the strength of art."

An Esteemed Career of Bleak Fiction

Krasznahorkai is known for his dark, somber works, which have won many accolades, for instance the 2019 National Book Award for literature in translation and the prestigious Man Booker International Prize.

Several of his novels, notably his novels Satantango and The Melancholy of Resistance, have been made into feature films.

Debut Novel

Originating in Gyula, Hungary in 1954, Krasznahorkai first made his mark with his 1985 first book Satantango, a grim and captivating depiction of a failing village society.

The work would go on to secure the Man Booker International Prize award in English decades after, in 2013.

An Unconventional Prose Technique

Frequently labeled as postmodernist, Krasznahorkai is known for his lengthy, intricate phrases (the dozen sections of his novel each comprise a one paragraph), apocalyptic and pensive subjects, and the kind of unwavering power that has led critics to draw parallels with Gogol, Melville and Kafka.

Satantango was notably adapted into a extended motion picture by director Béla Tarr, with whom Krasznahorkai has had a lengthy 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 defined by the absurd and bizarre extremes," said the Nobel chair, chair of the Nobel jury.

He described Krasznahorkai’s style as having "developed towards … flowing language with lengthy, intricate phrases without full stops that has become his hallmark."

Expert Opinions

Susan Sontag has described the author as "today's Hungarian master of the apocalyptic," while Sebald commended the wide appeal of his perspective.

A handful of Krasznahorkai’s books have been rendered in English translation. The literary critic Wood once noted that his books "are shared like rare currency."

Global Influences

Krasznahorkai’s career has been shaped by exploration as much as by language. He first left communist his homeland in 1987, staying a twelve months in West Berlin for a scholarship, and later found inspiration from Asia – especially China and Mongolia – for novels such as one of his titles, and another novel.

While writing War and War, he explored across European nations and resided temporarily in the legendary poet's New York home, noting the renowned Beat poet's support as vital to finishing the novel.

Krasznahorkai on His Work

Asked how he would explain his oeuvre in an interview, Krasznahorkai said: "Letters; then from these characters, vocabulary; then from these words, some brief phrases; then further lines that are more extended, and in the primary extremely lengthy phrases, for the period of 35 years. Beauty in prose. Fun in despair."

On audiences finding his work for the initial encounter, he noted: "For any people who are new to my books, I would refrain from advising a particular book to explore to them; instead, I’d suggest them to step out, sit down at a location, maybe by the banks of a creek, with no tasks, nothing to think about, just being in tranquility like stones. They will eventually meet someone who has already read my books."

Literature Prize History

Prior to the declaration, betting agencies had pegged the frontrunners for this year's prize as the Chinese writer, an innovative Chinese writer, and Krasznahorkai himself.

The Nobel Honor in Writing has been presented on over a hundred prior instances since 1901. Current recipients have included Ernaux, the musician, Abdulrazak Gurnah, the poet, Peter Handke and the Polish author. The most recent winner was the South Korean writer, the Korean author best known for The Vegetarian.

Krasznahorkai will ceremonially be presented with the award and diploma in a ceremony in winter in the Swedish capital.

Additional details forthcoming