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Péter Esterházy

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Péter Esterházy

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1950-04-14 （Budapest, Hungary）
Died
2016-07-14 （Budapest, Hungary） age 66
Nationality
Hungarian
Languages
Hungarian
Residence History
Budapest (born and resident)

Career

Occupations
writer, novelist, essayist
Active Years
1970-2016
Affiliations
Deutsche Akademie für Sprache und Dichtung (German Academy for Language and Literature), Academy of Arts, Berlin
Memberships
Deutsche Akademie für Sprache und Dichtung, Academy of Arts, Berlin
Influenced By
Bohumil Hrabal
Influenced

Education

Eötvös Loránd University
Faculty of Science (Mathematics) / Department of Mathematics
Degree: Mathematics
Country: Hungary
Studied mathematics; began literary activity in the 1970s

Awards

Kossuth Prize
1996
Organization: Hungarian state / cultural institutions
Result: winner
Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
Organization: French government
Result: recipient
Order of Merit
Organization: Romanian government
Result: recipient
Austrian State Prize for European Literature
Organization: Austrian cultural authorities
Result: recipient
Herder Prize
Organization: Herder Prize committee
Result: recipient
Vilenica Prize
Organization: Vilenica International Literary Festival
Result: recipient
Peace Prize of the German Book Trade
Organization: German Book Trade
Result: recipient
Angelus Award
2008
Organization: Angelus Central European Literature Award
Result: winner
Premio Mondello
2013
Organization: Premio Mondello (Italy)
Result: recipient
International Masi Grosso d'Oro Veneziano Prize
Organization: Masi Foundation
Result: recipient

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Celestial Harmonies (Harmonia Caelestis)

2001 Novel (family saga / historical)

Chronicles the rise of the author's forefathers during the Austro-Hungarian Empire and their dispossession under communism. A family saga intertwining personal and national history, exploring memory and identity.

family historymemoryaristocracycommunism and dispossessionidentity
Translations
  • Celestial Harmonies (English translation)

Revised Edition / Corrected Version (Javított kiadás)

2002 Novel / appendix work

Published as an appendix to Celestial Harmonies; deals with the author's realization that his father had been an informant for the secret police during the communist era, blending confession and inquiry.

confessionfamily relationshipsre-examination of history

Helping Verbs of the Heart (A szív segédigéi)

1985 Short stories / novel

A set of experimental, fragmentary works notable for candid language, emotion and humour.

humorpersonal experienceexperimental style

A Little Hungarian Pornography (Kis magyar pornográfia)

1984 Novel

Early collection including short and mid-length works that portray society and individuals with irony and humor.

social satirehumorindividual vs. system

Not Art (Semmi művészet)

2008 Essays / criticism

A collection of essays offering observations and criticism on art, literature and society.

art criticismcultural commentary

Bibliography

  • Celestial Harmonies (Harmonia Caelestis)
  • Revised Edition / Corrected Version (Javított kiadás)
  • Helping Verbs of the Heart
  • A Little Hungarian Pornography
  • Not Art

Translations of Works

  • Celestial Harmonies (English translation)
  • Helping Verbs of the Heart (English translation)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
postmodern experimental stylefragmentary, stop-and-go narrationironic and humorous tone
Recurring Motifs
family memoryintersection of history and the personalaristocratic legacyhumor (including black humor)

Health

  • pancreatic cancer
    2015-2016
    Diagnosed/publicly revealed in 2015; illness limited activities and led to death in 2016.

Legacy

Péter Esterházy was one of the leading Hungarian writers of his era, internationally recognized for his distinct narratives that weave family and national history. His works were translated into many languages and he received numerous international awards.

Academic Societies

  • Deutsche Akademie für Sprache und Dichtung
  • Academy of Arts, Berlin

Archives

  • Hungarian Literature Database
  • National Széchényi Library (presumed)

In Popular Culture

  • Featured at international literary events such as PEN World Voices and other festivals.

Quotes

  • Orbán is not a statesman. The Orbán system is damaging to Hungary. Our democracy is not liberal, freedom of the press is limited, and the division of power is inadequate.
    Source: Interview / press statements (quoted in 168 óra and other outlets) (2015)

Trivia

  • Refused restitution of formerly nationalized family property after the 1989 regime change.
  • Born into the noble Esterházy family, though hereditary titles were abolished in 1947.
  • Brother Márton Esterházy is an international football player.
  • Married Margit Reén in 1973 and had four children.