We explore the most notable works of Han Hang, the South Korean author who captivated readers and critics around the world.
Han Kang was born on November 27, 1970 in Gwangju, South Korea . She excelled as a journalist and writer, and currently combines her passion for literature with teaching, giving classes in Creative Writing at the Seoul Institute. From a young age, Kang showed a deep interest in literature while growing up in her hometown, before moving to the capital with her family. After completing her school education, she studied Literature at Yonsei University , where she began to shape her future as an author.
After graduating, Kang began writing for local outlets such as Samtoh and Publishing Journal , where she published her first stories and short stories. In 1995, she debuted with The Love of Yeosu , which marked the beginning of her career as a novelist. However, her first foray into poetry came in 1993, when Winter in Seoul appeared in Literature and Society magazine. Although she explored poetry, Kang found her niche in prose.
So far, she has published four collections of short stories: in addition to the aforementioned Love in Yeosu , she published The Fruit of My Wife , Box of Tears and The Yellow Design of Eternity ; and six novels: The Black Deer , Your Cold Hands , Fight of Breath , The Greek Hour, The Boy Is Coming and The Vegetarian —a book that won her the Man Booker International Prize in 2016 and which is the sum of three related stories.
Another title translated into Spanish is Human Acts, a raw and detailed account that addresses the Gwangju massacre and the popular uprising of 1980. Kang revisits this tragic historical episode from an intimate perspective, describing the military repression that left hundreds dead and wounded.
With her experimental style, Kang established herself as an innovator in contemporary prose. Her works explore universal and human themes, examining the connection between body and soul, life and death. The excellence and sensitivity of her work have positioned her as one of the most important voices in contemporary literature.
Who were candidates to win the award?
This year, the bets on the possible winner focused on several names. The Chinese writer Can Xue led the lists, as in previous years. Behind her, appeared the Romanian Mircea Cărtărescu and the American Anne Carson . Other writers who caught the attention included the Australian Gerald Murnane , known for tackling diverse genres and styles; the Kenyan Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o , influenced by African magical realism; and the Americans Thomas Pynchon , famous for his complex narratives and his aversion to media, and Don DeLillo , renowned for his novels set in the 20th century.
The list also included Frenchwoman Hélène Cixous, a specialist in English literature and the work of James Joyce; Irishwoman Edna O’Brien , who died this year; and Syrian poet Adonis , whose real name is Ali Ahmad Said Esber. The betting site Nicer Odds had placed Australian Alexis Wright , a defender of indigenous rights, as one of the main candidates. Also included on the list were Japanese Yōko Tawada , who lives in Germany; French writer Michel Houellebecq , sometimes compared to Sartre; and Chilean Raúl Zurita , who were among the ten favourites.
Several international media outlets had come up with their own predictions. The Guardian mentioned names such as Can Xue, Haruki Murakami, Margaret Atwood, Cesar Aira, Gerald Murnane and Thomas Pynchon , noting the huge interest Murnane and Aira had generated. Ladbrokes’ Alex Apati said Can Xue remained the leading bettor.
Who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2023
In 2023, the Royal Swedish Academy awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature to Norwegian writer Jon Fosse, who has a career spanning more than four decades. Fosse explored a diversity of genres throughout his career, and his vast output includes plays, novels, poetry collections, essays, children’s books and translations.
In an official statement, the Scandinavian institution said that they awarded the prize to Fosse «for his innovative plays and prose, which give voice to the unspeakable.» Although the award recognized his work in theater, the author has published dozens of books, beginning in 1983 with his novel Raudt, Svart («Red, Black»).
Summarizing the reasons that made him worthy of the award, Anders Olsson, chairman of the Nobel Prize committee for literature, described his style: «Fosse mixes the rootedness in language and nature of his Norwegian background with artistic techniques of modernism.» His work «touches on the deepest human feelings, such as anxiety, insecurity and questions about life and death.»
