Han Kang wins 2024 Nobel prize in Literature for confronting human fragility through poetic prose
- In Reports
- 05:46 PM, Oct 10, 2024
- Myind Staff
South Korean author Han Kang was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature on Thursday for her evocative and poetic prose that delves into the deep emotional and physical struggles of individuals, particularly through historical traumas. The Nobel Committee praised her for intertwining these themes with Eastern philosophical thinking, recognising her distinctive narrative style that explores the fragility of human existence.
Kang, 53, gained international acclaim in 2016 when she won the International Booker Prize for The Vegetarian, a novel that tells the story of a woman whose decision to stop eating meat causes a cascade of family and societal conflicts. This novel, characterised by its unsettling portrayal of autonomy and rebellion, cemented her place in global literature. The Nobel committee specifically highlighted her short story Europa (2012; translated 2019), where the protagonist, disguised as a woman, confronts his own life’s meaning in the face of complex personal relationships and societal pressures.
“Kang’s work reflects a double exposure of pain, merging the mental and physical torment of her characters,” the committee remarked. They noted that her narratives often leave unresolved questions, echoing the silent battles people face in their everyday lives.
The Nobel Prize in Literature has been awarded 116 times since 1901, with Kang becoming only the 18th woman to receive this prestigious honour. Her recognition follows Norwegian author Jon Fosse, who won the award in 2023 for his groundbreaking plays and prose.
This announcement comes as part of the broader Nobel Prize season, which kicked off earlier in the week. The Medicine Prize was awarded to American scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun, followed by the Physics Prize on Tuesday, given to machine learning pioneers John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton. On Wednesday, the Chemistry Prize recognized David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John Jumper for their work in protein decoding and design.
The Nobel Peace Prize is set to be announced on Friday, with the Economics Prize following on October 14. Winners of the Nobel Prize will receive a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor (around $1 million), part of the legacy left by Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor who founded the prize. The formal award ceremony will be held in Stockholm on December 10, commemorating the anniversary of Nobel’s death.
With this award, Han Kang’s literary contributions, which explore the fragile nature of life, resonate on a global scale, cementing her position as one of the leading voices in contemporary literature.
Comments