László Ladányi (Hungarian pronunciation: [ˈlaːsloː ˈlɒdaːɲi]; October 24, 1907 in Budapest – January 8, 1992 in Tel Aviv) was a poet, author, dramatist and reporter.

His critics attest to his short stories, diverse style, a realistic vision combined with poetic symbolism, dealing with lyrical and philosophical themes.

A recurring motif in many of his stories is the eternal longing of man for joy and beauty, while helplessly swept in the torrent of blind fate, in the terrifying shadow of war.

At the same time, his satirical writings, interspersed with fine humor, bear testimony to Ladányi's zest for life and to his faith in the victory of humanism and common sense.

While yearning for home and his wife – the love of his life – he was subjected to years of humiliation by his commanders, to hard labour, hunger and devastating cold.

At the end of 1944, after the Nazis had occupied Hungary and his company was stationed in Romania, he managed to escape and hide in Romanian villages, thereby saving his life.

For 25 years he published short stories,[8][9][10] poems[11][12] and articles in the emigrant Hungarian writers’ literary gazette "Irodalmi Újság".

His short stories were also printed in the London "Népszava" (People's Voice),[note 4] and in the Munich-based Hungarian language monthly (1957-1961) "Látóhatár" (Horizon).