Austrian author Peter Handke and Poland's Olga Tokarczukwere awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature on Thursday.

The Swedish Academy named Mr. Handke the laureate for 2019and Ms. Tokarczuk for 2018 after postponing last year's award due toa protracted scandal.

The academy said it honored Mr. Handke "for an influential work that with linguistic ingenuity has explored the periphery and the specificity of human experience."

Both laureates have agreed to receive their awards this year, however, organisers said. Each will receive nine million Swedish kronor (£740,000), as well as a medal and a diploma.