Krasznahorkai

László Krasznahorkai (born 4 January 1954) is a Hungarian novelist and essayist, widely regarded as a leading figure in postwar Hungarian literature. Born in Gyula, he began publishing in the 1980s and gained international attention for his distinctive, densely wrought prose.

Krasznahorkai’s novels are known for extraordinarily long sentences, polyphonic narration, and panoramic, often apocalyptic depictions of politics, society, and existential anxiety. Notable works include Sátántangó (1985), a sprawling novel that was later adapted into Béla Tarr’s acclaimed 1994 film, and The Melancholy of Resistance (1989), which helped establish his international reputation.

In English-language reception, Krasznahorkai’s work is frequently translated by George Szirtes, among others. His novel War and War (Háború és háború) gained wide attention, and in 2015 he won the Man Booker International Prize for this work, recognizing both author and translator.

Thematically, Krasznahorkai’s writing probes the collapse of moral and political certainties, the fragility of individuals under oppressive systems, and the persistence of history and fate. His stylistic approach—elongated sentences, digressive syntax, and a relentless rhetorical momentum—has influenced contemporary European fiction and remains the subject of ongoing scholarly study.