Stockholm, Sweden - Hungarian novelist László Krasznahorkai has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature, recognized by the Swedish Academy for his work which “gives voice to the unspeakable.” The Academy specifically cited Krasznahorkai’s ability to depict the “apocalyptic terror” of modern existence.
The award acknowledges Krasznahorkai’s distinctive adn often lengthy novels and short stories, characterized by a unique style and a profound exploration of human alienation and the disintegration of societal structures. His writing frequently grapples with themes of decay, isolation, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. The prize includes a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor (approximately $1 million).
Krasznahorkai is known for his collaborations with filmmaker Béla Tarr, most notably on the 1994 film adaptation of his novel “Sátántangó,” a seven-hour epic described by Susan Sontag as “enthralling for every minute.” His work often features extended, complex sentences and a relentless focus on the minutiae of everyday life, building to a sense of overwhelming dread.
The Nobel Literature prize has recently been awarded to Han Kang in 2023, a South Korean author praised for confronting historical traumas, and to Jon Fosse in 2022, a Norwegian novelist and playwright lauded for his radical reduction of language to express powerful human emotions. Krasznahorkai joins a distinguished lineage of Nobel laureates, solidifying his place as a major voice in contemporary literature.
