Konrad, George

Konrad, George or Gyorgy (dyûr`dyē kôn`räd), 1933–, Hungarian novelist. Konrad's first novel, The Case Worker (1969; tr. 1974), was based on his experiences as a children's social worker for the state. In this and other writings he treats the social and spiritual problems of Eastern European life under fascism and communism as well as after the collapse of communism. Among his other works of fiction are The City Builder (1975; tr. 1987); The Loser (1980; tr. 1982); A Feast in the Garden (1989; tr. 1992), a novel of the Holocaust; and Stonedial (1998; tr. 2000). He also has written Antipolitics: An Essay (1984). Widely considered contemporary Hungary's preeminent literary figure, Konrad was president of International PEN (1990–93).