Kim Fupz Aakeson Wins DR Novel Prize for Book on Guilt and Forgiveness

Danish author Kim Fupz Aakeson has won the prestigious DR Novel Prize 2026 for his book "Skyggen foran mig." The award comes with a 25,000 Danish kroner prize.

The novel delves into the life of a convicted murderer, focusing on his dysfunctional marriage marked by abuse, his time in prison, and his journey of atonement on the Camino pilgrimage after his release. DR described the book as a "cohesive and thought-provoking novel about guilt, sorrow, and forgiveness," questioning whether forgiveness is possible for the unforgivable.

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Well, I am speechless - I was sure Niels Krause-Kjær would take it.

Aakeson, who was educated as a screenwriter, learned of his win live on the radio. He expressed surprise, having expected another nominee to win. The DR Novel Prize is decided by members of DR's 135 reading clubs, who discuss six selected novels each month from December to May.

This is not Aakeson's first brush with the prize; he was also nominated in 2019. The 67-year-old author has a prolific career, having published over 100 books for both children and adults since his debut in 1984. His 2021 novel, "Fangeleg," was adapted into the DR drama series "Huset."

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On a convincing level, the novel sharply focuses on whether there is forgiveness for the unforgivable.