In brief
Canadian poet and essayist Anne Carson has just been awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. The committee praised her bold and inventive work that flips classical tradition into fresh, genre‑blurring pieces. Carson laughed that the judges were “crazy” and felt thrilled while soaking up Icelandic wind. Her win comes with a $1.2 million prize and adds a star to Canada’s literary scene.
The Nobel Prize lands on Canadian poet Anne Carson
Anne Carson, 76, just became the latest laureate of the Nobel Prize in Literature, known for mixing poetry, essay and ancient scholarship into new, exciting forms.
The Swedish Academy said the choice was for her “bold and inventive oeuvre that, in playful dialogue with the classical tradition, has created new forms for contemporary literature.” The Norwegian jury added that Carson’s work keeps the lines between old texts and modern vibes alive and vibrant.
Carson laughed that the judges were “crazy” for honouring her and was told the award via a phone call while she was resting in Iceland, listening to the wind and feeling a burst of joy.
With a prize worth 12 million Swedish kronor (about $1.2 million), the Nobel highlights the most prestigious mark of a lifetime of writing.
Her key works include The Glass Essay, Autobiography of Red (a novel in verse), Nox, Float and the graphic retelling The Trojan Women. She also turned Elektra into a stage play starring Brie Larson for a London premiere.
Anne Carson is also a professor of classics and a translator who brings ancient Greek stories to a contemporary audience. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called the win an extraordinary achievement and a moment of pride for all Canadians.
