The Swedish Academy awarded the literature Nobel to Canadian poet Anne Carson for work it said created new forms in dialogue with the classical tradition.
The Swedish Academy awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature on Thursday to Canadian poet and essayist Anne Carson. It cited her bold and inventive oeuvre that, in playful dialogue with the classical tradition, has created new forms for contemporary literature.
Carson, 76, is known for translations of ancient Greek texts and for recasting that material in a modern voice. The New York Times said she is the third Canadian-born writer to receive the prize, after Alice Munro in 2013 and Saul Bellow in 1976. Her agent, Nicole Aragi, said Carson's reaction on hearing the news was, Yikes.
The prize is for a lifetime body of work. The laureate receives 12 million Swedish kronor, about 1.2 million dollars, the Times reported. The Guardian put the sum at 12 million kronor, or 900,000 pounds.
Permanent secretary Ingrid Carlberg said she told Carson by phone shortly before the announcement. Anders Olsson, chair of the academy's Nobel committee for literature, said Carson had broken away from lyrical poetry bound to the narrative self.
Last year's prize went to Hungarian novelist Laszlo Krasznahorkai. The academy has alternated male and female laureates since 2018, the Times reported. Bookmakers had listed Carson and Chinese writer Can Xue among the favorites.
People Sentiments Positive
- Anne Carson said Yikes when told of the prize, according to her agent Nicole Aragi.
- Anders Olsson said her work had broken away from lyrical poetry bound to the narrative self.