Ismail Kadare (b. 1936) is a highly regarded Albanian writer of fiction, poetry, and essays. Some of his most famous novels include The General of the Dead Army, Broken April, Chronicle in Stone, and The Palace of Dreams. Recent translations to appear in English include The Successor (a novel) and Agamemnon's Daughter (a novella and stories), while a historical essay, Dante, l'incontournable ou Brève histoire de l'Albanie avec Dante Alighieri was published in France in 2006. His works treat a wide range of themes, from folklore and Europe's classical heritage to Ottoman history and the experience of communism. Kadare has become a significant figure on the intellectual scene in Europe while retaining his great popularity in Albania. In 2005 Kadare won the inaugural Man Booker International Prize for contemporary fiction.