In the jury's motivation, one highlights Krasznahorkai's unique language in the book "where the language's flowing counterpoint seems to dream of a more beautiful world than the one the novel's characters are forced to travel in".
Krasznahorkai has in recent years often been mentioned as a potential Nobel Prize winner. He is known for his idiosyncratic novels and film collaborations with director Béla Tarr. In a press release, the Hungarian author tells us that he worked very closely with his Swedish translator.
"I sent difficult-to-interpret messages about the novel to him and he instantly understood every word, and he translated them in the same spirit. He is a genius".
The prize amount is 75,000 kronor each and the two prize winners will attend the International Authors' Scene in Stockholm on January 23 for a public conversation about the book and its translation.