Andrus Kivirähk graduated in journalism from the University of Tartu. His book Rehepapp ehk November, which was published in 2000, sold over 32,000 copies, making it the most successful title in Estonian literature. Since 1990 it has been part of the Estonian Student Society, and since 1996, of the Estonian Writers Union. Kivirähk was recognized by the Government of his country in 2015 as one of its most influential cultural figures. Since then he has been awarded numerous awards both within and outside its borders, among which Le Grand Prix de l'Imaginaire stands out for The Man Who Spoke the Serpent for the best foreign novel published in France.