László Krasznahorkai wins Nobel Prize as new novel Zsömle Is Gone debuts

Hungarian writer László Krasznahorkai will receive the Nobel Prize in Literature in Stockholm today. His latest novel, Zsömle Is Gone, is also being published in German on the same day. The book tells the story of a 92-year-old man unexpectedly crowned king of Hungary in 2012. The novel’s protagonist, Uncle Józi, is a descendant of the medieval Árpád dynasty. Born in 1921, he becomes a central figure in a plot where far-right sympathies shape the Hungarian government. His goal is to seize power, restore justice, and improve life for the country’s people.

Krasznahorkai’s work is celebrated for its dense, intricate prose and strikingly long sentences. His entire literary archive has now been preserved by the Austrian National Library’s Literature Archive in Vienna. An exhibition of his writings is also open at the Literature Museum in the same city, running until June 28, 2026. The novel’s setting reflects real political tensions, with the story unfolding between 2012 and 2013. Uncle Józi’s unlikely rise to kingship serves as a commentary on Hungary’s political climate during that period.

Today’s Nobel Prize ceremony coincides with the German release of Zsömle Is Gone. Krasznahorkai’s archive remains accessible in Vienna, ensuring his work endures for future readers. The novel’s themes continue to resonate, offering a sharp perspective on power and history.