I accidentally spent the whole season reading everything Laszlo available in English. For some reason I read Satantango last. I just finished it and although I’m not compelled to pick a favorite book by Krasznahorkai I find myself wondering whether it was all one book.
Who else has been absolutely harpooned by this stupefying writer? Damn.
I started on Satantango like half a year ago but ran out of steam at 10% or so. I have to dive back in and finish that up. Definitely still on my list.
Agreed- lurid, brilliant, sprawling stuff. A unique voice; I found him through the films of Bela Tarr, which I highly recommend. (I wouldn’t pick a favorite either)
Here’s a quote from Krasznahorkai
“With this novel I can prove that I really wrote just one book in my life. This is the book—Satantango, Melancholy, War and War, and Baron. This is my one book.”
I bet you would like this years Nobel laureate, Jon Fosse. I feel the same way about him in a couple of ways. The “is it all one book?” and also the way they make never ending sentences feel effortless and a joy to read. Try the short read The Trilogy for a quick taste.
I see Krasznahorkai, I upvote. I love all his books, but Seiobo There Below is such a beautiful and impactful work. It’s my favorite.
He also has a work being translated right now, so hopefully it’ll be released soon.
I read Baron Wenckheim’s Homecoming last year and was so impressed I ordered like five books of his instantly. What a brilliant writer, his style just speaks to me on a level I cannot properly articulate