Briton Kazuo Ishiguro Beats US-Based Kenyan Author Ngugi wa Thiong'o to Win Nobel Literature Prize

British author Kazuo Ishiguro of the "The Remains of the Day" novel has scooped the Nobel Literature Prize.

While announcing him the winner, Swedish Academy said the 62-year-old, "in novels of great emotional force, has uncovered the abyss beneath our illusory sense of connection with the world."

Ishiguro was born in Nagasaki, Japan but moved to the UK with his family when he was five years old.

"The themes Ishiguro is most associated with are already present here: memory, time, and self-delusion," the Academy said. "This is particularly notable in his most renowned novel, 'The Remains of the Day'," which was turned into a film with Anthony Hopkins acting as the duty-obsessed butler Stevens."

"Ishiguro's writings are marked by a carefully restrained mode of expression, independent of whatever events are taking place," it said.

Ishiguro has also written scripts for film and television production, apart from his eight books.

The Briton beat US-based Kenya writer Ngugi wa Thiong'o, who is currently a Professor of English and Comparative Literature at the University of California. Thiong'o was tipped as the 2017 favorite to win the coveted prize. He however missed the award once again despite being best placed to scoop it since 2010, owing to his vast literal works including novels, essays, short stories and plays. Last year, American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan won the prize, contrary to expectations of many across the world including the US artiste himself.