Pilch was one of Poland's most popular contemporary writers, the author of over 20 novels, numerous essays and diaries as well as screenplays and theatre plays.
In 2001 he received Poland’s prestigious Nike literary prize for his book The Mighty Angel, which was later adapted for the screen.
Pilch’s books have been translated into a number of languages including English, Spanish, French, Russian, Bulgarian, Slovak, Lithuanian and Estonian.
The writer was laid to rest at a cemetery in Kielce, south central Poland.