Dora Kaprálová won both the Magnesia Litera for best prose and the Book of the Year award at the 25th annual ceremony held in Prague’s Stavovské divadlo on April 18, 2026.
The Berlin-based Czech author received the honors for her novel Mariborská hypnóza, a fragmented work blending fly-themed fables with reflections on 20th-century history and contemporary chaos. The book originated from a summer residency in Maribor, Slovenia, where Kaprálová said she was so captivated by the town that she began speaking to local dogs in response.
She described the writing process as initially disorienting, later becoming a focused act of recollection once back in Berlin. The final line of the novel — “Na všechno už je pozdě, jen ne na lásku” — encapsulates its central theme, according to Kaprálová, who admitted she did not originally intend to pursue a literary career.
Born to Brno poet Zeno Kaprál, she moved to Berlin in 2007 with her first daughter, supporting herself through Czech language teaching and film workshops before transitioning to bookselling. She now occasionally sells her own German-translated works at the bookstore where she works, having published eight titles to date.
Her literary debut came in 2007 with a conversation-style book featuring writer Květa Legátová, followed by experimental works like Zimní kniha o lásce and Berlínský zápisník. Earlier books such as Ostrovy and Utrpení a jiné žánry explored boundaries between people and places, while Pan Nikdo a bílá tma (2022) was described by critics as a disturbing children’s horror.
Mariborská hypnóza was initially conceived as a travel guide commissioned by her longtime publisher Větrné mlýny but evolved into something far more lyrical and introspective. Kaprálová recalled being haunted by the memory of a fly’s buzz before her trip to Maribor, which inspired the novel’s unique perspective: observing the insect’s fragmented, stroboscopic vision as a metaphor for human perception.
The Magnesia Litera ceremony, traditionally held at the National Theatre’s New Scene, moved to Stavovské divadlo due to ongoing renovations. Although broadcast on ČT art, Reflex.cz noted the event’s significance in highlighting emerging talent, especially as no standout large novel was recognized this year.
Over 631 books were submitted across fourteen categories, with jurors requesting additional titles beyond the initial entries. Reflex.cz’s critic Kryštof Eder noted that Kaprálová had previously been nominated for the Literary Critics’ Prize and the EU Literature Prize, and placed second in Deník N’s expert vote for Book of the Year and sixth in the public poll.
As Book of the Year winner, Kaprálová is set to be a featured guest at the Frankfurt Book Fair. The ceremony opened with hosts Daniela Písařovicová and Saša Michailidis marking World Book and Copyright Day on April 23, promoting the Čti za nároďák! campaign to position reading as a modern, attractive lifestyle.
During the event, several speakers criticized the Czech Ministry of Culture for its perceived neglect of domestic arts, a point Reflex.cz has repeatedly emphasized. Other laureates used the platform for political expression, including debut author Marie Škrdlíková, who voiced support for Palestinian statehood, later joined by Jana Srncová and Klára Kubíčková, winners of the ČRo Plus Prize for their work on adult ADHD in women.
What inspired the unique narrative perspective of Mariborská hypnóza?
Kaprálová said the idea to tell the story from a fly’s point of view came from remembering the buzz of a fly she heard before leaving Berlin for Maribor, which led her to reflect on short-lived creatures as metaphors for perception.
Why was the Magnesia Litera ceremony held at Stavovské divadlo instead of its usual venue?
The event moved to Stavovské divadlo because the National Theatre’s New Scene, where the awards are typically held, is undergoing reconstruction.
