[2] Kyrklund's works of fiction are influenced by modernism; his early short stories resemble surrealism, in which the storyline is concealed by symbolism that contributes to conveying a mix of bitter irony, reconciliation and alienation.

Recurring themes are pointlessness and powerlessness, where good and bad meet in an ungraspable and sometimes deliberately incomprehensible greyscale.

Often sinful deeds loom, while the future sinner observes in confusion, uncomprehending and unable to change the course of events.

However, Kyrklund succeeded in portraying his failing characters with great empathy and indulgence, yet with the distance of an observer.

On 2 June 1995 Kyrklund received an honorary doctorate from the Faculty of Humanities at Uppsala University, Sweden.