Han Kang, the celebrated South Korean author, has made history by winning the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature, a recognition bestowed upon her for “her strikingly poetic prose that grapples with historical wounds and reveals the delicacy of human existence,” according to the awarding institution.
This prestigious accolade, sanctioned by the Swedish Academy, carries a substantial monetary recognition of 11 million Swedish crowns, which is roughly equivalent to €1 million.
Anders Olsson, the chairman of the Nobel Committee for Literature, expressed in a statement, “Her unparalleled sensitivity to the intricate ties between the corporeal and the ethereal, the living and the deceased, truly sets her apart. Through her poetic and experimental approach, she has emerged as a trailblazer in modern prose.”
As the inaugural South Korean recipient of this coveted award, Han Kang embarked on her literary journey back in 1993, publishing several poems in the influential journal, Literature and Society. Her venture into prose began in 1995 with the release of her short story anthology, ‘Love of Yeosu.’
Leading up to this acclaimed announcement, the literary betting scene saw prominent names such as Can Xue from China, alongside perennial contenders like Ngugi Wa Thiong’o from Kenya, Australia’s Gerald Murnane, and Anne Carson from Canada, all considered frontrunners.
The literature prize stands out among the Nobel accolades, often being the most accessible to the public. This universal reach means that the Academy’s selections are frequently met with a blend of accolades and critique, often in equal measure.
Throughout the past century, literary aficionados have been left scratching their heads at the Academy’s decision to overlook towering figures such as Russia’s Leo Tolstoy, France’s Emile Zola, and Ireland’s James Joyce.
In a notable instance, the 2016 award to American musician Bob Dylan sparked conversations about the evolution of literature as an art form; some viewed it as a revolutionary step, while others saw it as a dismissive snub toward traditional authorship.
These distinguished prizes, celebrating advancements in science, literature, and peace, owe their existence to the legacy left by Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel, who bequeathed them in his will. Since their inception in 1901, these accolades have continued to foster intellectual and cultural advancement, with the economics prize being added later.
Following the peace prize, the literature award typically garners the most attention. This spotlight can significantly boost an author’s visibility, often leading to a temporary surge in book sales, although this spike might fade quickly for those who are not widely recognized.
Even so, the monetary award and a place in a lineage that features luminaries like the Irish poet W.B. Yeats, who won in 1923, American novelist Ernest Hemingway, recognized in 1954, and Colombian maestro Gabriel Garcia Marquez, a recipient in 1982, make this an enticing honor.
Norwegian novelist and dramatist Jon Fosse claimed the literature prize in 2023, providing readers with a delightful surprise since his work has traditionally had limited translations outside of Norway.
This accolade is the fourth in the annual lineup of Nobel awards, following those in the realms of medicine, physics, and chemistry revealed earlier in the week.
So, what’s the story behind this award? The Nobel Prize committee has recognized literary brilliance since 1901, presenting it 116 times to a diverse group of 120 individuals. Historically, the award landscape has skewed male, with 103 men against just 17 women, placing Ms. Kang as the 18th woman to earn this distinction.
Among previous winners familiar to the public are icons like Bob Dylan, Toni Morrison, and closer to home, four Irish laureates: George Bernard Shaw, W.B. Yeats, Samuel Beckett, and the celebrated Seamus Heaney, a prize recipient in 1995.
Last year’s winner, Jon Fosse, was heralded as an outlier, given that his works rarely penetrate English translations. The committee praised his voluminous bibliography and noted how he adeptly gave voice to the unspeakable.
Surprise wins are not new to the Nobel scene. In 2017, the prevailing expectation fell far from English-Japanese author Kazuo Ishiguro, while the previous year, Bob Dylan’s win came completely out of left field. The committee recognized him for “creating new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition.”
Dylan’s response was characteristically enigmatic; he remained silent for several days post-announcement, eventually opting to post his Nobel lecture online rather than deliver it live, and he notably skipped the prize ceremony altogether.
Looking into this year’s predictions, the literature prize has attracted its fair share of criticism over its apparent favor towards European and North American writers of stylistically dense yet light on narrative prose. Consequently, expectations for nominees can vary significantly among commentators.
This year, Chinese author Can Xue found herself again at the summit of bookie predictions for the Nobel Prize. At 71, she had been the frontrunner the previous year but lost out to Fosse.
Amidst the selection process, the Swedish Academy is the guardian of this literary honor, comprising 18 members, including a Nobel committee of four to five individuals. This committee evaluates nominations and proposes winners to the Academy.
The nomination process is a closely guarded secret, with potential nominees kept under wraps for 50 years. Anyone penning exceptional literature can theoretically be put forth; however, the quality must earn a well-deserved spotlight.
The nominators include Swedish Academy members, literature professors, former Nobel laureates, and leaders of literary organizations.
In tandem, additional reporting has been contributed by Evelyn O’Rourke.
Edited by: Ali Musa
Axadle international–Monitoring
