Welcome to a special episode of CD Voice, where we dive into the literary world’s big news: Hungarian author László Krasznahorkai has won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature.

Famous for his demanding, cinematic, and often bleak writing—think dystopian melancholy, spiritual void in modern life, and groundbreaking works like Satan Tango—Krasznahorkai isn’t just a master of “European despair.” What makes his win even more compelling is a surprising twist: his deep, decades-long connection to Eastern philosophy and Chinese culture.

From his 1991 trip to China that sparked a personal and literary shift, to his obsession with the Tao Te Ching, his adoption of the Chinese name “Qiu,” and his pilgrimage tracing Tang poet Li Bai’s steps—this episode explores how Eastern wisdom softened his dark style, creating a unique synthesis of West and East. We’ll also look at how this fusion shines in his later works, like the short story collection The World Goes On, and why the Swedish Academy honored him for “reaffirming the power of art in the midst of apocalyptic terror.”

Whether you’re a literary fan or curious about cross-cultural inspiration, this episode unpacks what makes Krasznahorkai’s oeuvre so visionary.

Enjoy the deep dive, and keep exploring the stories behind great writing!