French writer Patrik Modiano on Thursday won the Nobel Prize in Literature. In its citation, the Nobel Committee said Modiano was picked for "the art of memory with which he has evoked the most ungraspable human destinies and uncovered the life-world of the occupation".
Modiano, 69, is the author of more than two dozen books and several screenplays.
The 11th literature laureate born in France, Modiano is also the recipient of the Grand Prix du Roman de l'Academie Française, the Prix Goncourt, the Prix Mondial Cino Del Duca and the Austrian State Prize for European Literature.
He has also been honoured with the prestigious 2010 Prix Mondial Cino Del Duca by the Institut de France for his lifetime achievement and the 2012 Austrian State Prize for European Literature.