"...Javier Marías has been awarded the Austrian State Prize for European Literature 2011. The prize has been awarded every year since 1965 for the literary oeuvre of a European writer, which must be available in German translation. The prize, which will be presented on July 30, recognizes Javier Marías "for a narrative work of truly European dimension, which links the reflection of the abysmal human nature by thinking about morality, history and politics. His hybrid novel structures are also metaphysical epics and moral deep wells - Investigations over evil, about the cruelty of man and his freedom, always in the context of European history," said the jury." -- New Directions