Author Ishiguro cites uncertain times behind his Nobel Prize

October 6, 2017

LONDON- Japanese-born British author Kazuo Ishiguro spoke of the present uncertainty around the world as a factor behind his winning of the Nobel Prize in Literature for 2017 in a phone interview with Nobel Media on Thursday.

"I think the timing is pertinent for me because...I can't remember a time when we were so uncertain about our values in the western world," Ishiguro, 62, told the official public relations entity for the Nobel Prizes, when asked about the significance of receiving the prize this year.

"People don't feel safe," Ishiguro said, suggesting that such a social situation may have allowed his works to receive prize-winning recognition. Nobel Media disclosed the content of the interview.

Ishiguro said he initially thought it was a hoax or fake news when he learned of his winning the prestigious prize.

"It's great to come one year after Bob Dylan who was my hero since the age of 13," Ishiguro said. "He's probably my biggest hero." Dylan, a singer-songwriter from the United States, won the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature.

"It's a terrific honor for me," Ishiguro said. Jiji Press