Freedom Book Club – Anne Carson: Autobiography of Red

The author of the Freedom Book Club’s first November session is Anne Carson, winner of the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature. The book of the month is Carson’s (so far) only work published in Hungarian, Autobiography of Red.

Our special guests will be Emese Bodor, poet and journalist, and Márton Simon, poet, who had the opportunity to meet the author in person last year.

The discussion will be moderated by Sarolta Sziráki, PhD candidate in Literary Studies.

The event will begin with our invited guests sharing their thoughts on the author and her book, followed by an open discussion in which participants are invited to reflect on the work together.

Admission is free, but advance booking of a free (0 HUF) ticket is required to attend.

Date: Monday, November 23, 6:00 PM

Venue: FREEDOM, 27 Szabolcs Street, 1134 Budapest

About Autobiography of Red

Autobiography of Red is Carson’s best-known work: a loosely structured novel in verse, deeply rooted in Greek mythology, particularly the story of Geryon and Heracles.

The protagonist is a boy named Geryon, who is, at least metaphorically, identified with the mythological monster of the same name. Abused by his older brother and unable to find protection from his weak-willed mother, Geryon seeks solace in photography and in his love for a young man named Heracles. However, Heracles leaves him at the very moment when Geryon is most infatuated with him.

Years later, the two meet again in Argentina, where a love triangle develops between Heracles, Geryon and Heracles’s new lover, Ancash.