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György Dragomán

ドラゴマン・ギョルギ

Gyorgy Dragoman

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1973-09-10 （Târgu Mureș (Marosvásárhely), Romania）
Nationality
Hungary
Languages
Hungarian, English
Residence History
Târgu Mureș (birthplace) → Moved to Hungary in 1988 → Szombathely (attended high school) → Budapest (residence)

Career

Occupations
author, literary translator
Active Years
2002-

Education

University in Budapest
English and Philosophy
Country: Hungary
Studied English and Philosophy in Budapest

Awards

Soros Fellowship
2002
Organization: Soros Foundation
Result: 受賞
Award for Excellence by Mozgó Világ
2002
Organization: Mozgó Világ (literary journal)
Result: 受賞
Sándor Bródy Prize
2003
Organization: Sándor Bródy Prize (awarding body)
Result: 受賞
Tibor Déry Prize
2006
Organization: Tibor Déry Prize (awarding body)
Result: 受賞
Sándor Márai Prize
2006
Organization: Sándor Márai Prize (awarding body)
Result: 受賞
Artisjus Prize
2006
Organization: ARTISJUS (Hungarian Bureau for the Protection of Authors' Rights)
Result: 受賞
Attila József Prize
2007
Organization: Attila József Prize (awarding body)
Result: 受賞
Youth of March Prize
2008
Organization: Youth of March Prize (awarding body)
Result: 受賞
Special commendation by Litera
2010
Organization: Litera (literary journal)
Result: 受賞
Jan Michalski Prize for Literature
2011
Work: The White King
Organization: Fondation Jan Michalski
Result: 受賞
Gold Medal Prize
2014
Organization: Gold Medal Prize (awarding body)
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Genesis Undone (A pusztítás könyve)

2002 Novel

Published in 2002; an early novel that contains themes foundational to his later work.

individual vs. the regimememory

The White King

2005 Novel / linked short stories

A collection of loosely connected stories told by an 11-year-old boy who waits for his father to be released from politically motivated imprisonment; it portrays life under an authoritarian regime.

child's perspectiveauthoritarianismfamily separationmemory and imagination
Adaptations
  • [film] The White King (film) (2016)
Translations
  • English translation by Paul Olchvary, Doubleday/Houghton Mifflin (2008)
  • Translated into at least 28 languages

The Bone Fire

2014 Novel

Published in 2014 (original title: Máglya); the English translation was published subsequently.

violencehistorymemory
Translations
  • English translation by Paul Olchvary, Mariner Books (published/announced)

Oroszlánkórus (A Chorus of Lions)

2015 Short story collection

A collection of short stories depicting various characters and facets of society.

social snapshotsportrayals of humans

Bibliography

  • 2002: A pusztítás könyve (Genesis Undone)
  • 2005: A fehér király (The White King)
  • 2014: Máglya (The Bone Fire)
  • 2015: Oroszlánkórus (A Chorus of Lions)

Adaptations

  • Film adaptation of The White King (2016)

Translations of Works

  • English (translated by Paul Olchvary)
  • Translated into at least 28 languages

Style & Themes

Literary Style
concise, restrained prosenarration from a child's perspective
Recurring Motifs
isolationthe permeation of authoritarianism into everyday lifefamily rupturememory and imagination

Legacy

Dragomán is regarded as one of contemporary Hungary's notable writers; The White King received international acclaim and has been translated into many languages. His work is praised for portraying social and political themes through a child's perspective.

Quotes

  • “The depiction of an oppressive reality through the eyes of an 11-year-old leaves a strong impression on the reader.”
    Source: The New York Times (book review) (2008)

Trivia

  • Born in Târgu Mureș, Romania in 1973.
  • Moved to Hungary with his family in 1988.
  • Lives in Budapest with his wife and two children.
  • The White King has been translated into at least 28 languages.