‘Indeed, the history of the Nobel Prize in Literature appears to be a series of attempts to interpret an unclear will.’

How does one appraise literary quality and just what did Alfred Nobel have in mind when he wrote in his will that his Literature Prize be awarded to a person who had ‘produced the most outstanding work in an ideal direction’? Why was the very first recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature Sully Prudhomme, while Lev Tolstoy was overlooked? How have the winners been chosen? In this volume, Kjell Espmark (1930–2022) adeptly surveys the first 120 years of the prize and presents the Nobel Committee’s reasoning. His deep knowledge of the Nobel Prize in Literature and personal experience of deciding the winners give unprecedented insight into the workings of the prize. The final chapters focus on the Committee’s broadened horizons and revised modus operandi, as well as the most propitious choice of Nobel laureate of all time.

The book consists of translations of Kjell Espmarks two works Litteraturpriset – hundra år med Nobels uppdrag (2001) and Nobelpriset i litteratur – ett nytt sekel (2021).