In 2011, Chinese writer Mo Yan (Left) was awarded the Mao Dun Literary Prize, one of top novel prizes in China. (Photo/Xinhua)
Through a mixture of fantasy and reality, historical and social perspectives, Mo Yan has created a world reminiscent in its complexity of those in the writings of William Faulkner and Gabriel Garcia Marquez, at the same time finding a departure point in old Chinese literature and in oral tradition, the academy commented in the biographical statement.
In addition to his novels, Mo Yan has published many short stories and essays on various topics. Despite his social criticism, he is seen in his homeland as one of the foremost contemporary authors, the statement added.
Dozens of his works have been translated into English, French and Japanese and many other languages.
Last year's literature prize went to Swedish poet Tomas Transtromer.
