Canadian poet and classicist Anne Carson won the Nobel Prize in Literature on Thursday for her innovative writing inspired by Greek mythology and antiquity.
The 76-year-old was honoured for her “bold and inventive oeuvre” that has created new forms of contemporary literature through dialogue with classical traditions, the Swedish Academy said.
Carson, who lives part of the year in Iceland, reacted with surprise, telling public broadcaster RUV: “They’re all crazy.”
Known for blending ancient myths with modern themes, Carson gained recognition in the 1990s, winning several literary awards. Her 1998 work, Autobiography of Red: A Novel in Verse, reimagined the Greek myth of Geryon and Herakles as a contemporary story exploring a love triangle.
The Academy also praised her 2010 work Nox, a tribute to her brother, who died in 2000. Presented as an accordion-fold collection of photographs, letters and texts, the work explores grief and loss. Her translations of classical Greek texts were also recognised as literary achievements in their own right.
Academy member Steve Sem-Sandberg described Carson as “an author for our time”, praising her ability to bring ancient stories and characters into a modern context.
Carson announced in 2024 that she had Parkinson’s disease. In a 2024 essay, she described how the condition had affected her handwriting, which had long been central to her creative practice.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called the award “an extraordinary achievement and a proud moment for Canada”.
Carson’s win comes amid longstanding criticism of the Nobel literature prize’s gender imbalance. Since the award was first presented in 1901, only 19 women have received it out of 122 laureates.
The Nobel Prize in Literature includes a diploma, a gold medal and prize money of $1.2 million. -AFP
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