American poet Louise Gluck wins Nobel Literature Prize
Last updated on: 08 October,2020 07:42 pm
American poet Louise Gluck wins Nobel Literature Prize
STOCKHOLM (AFP) - American poet Louise Gluck won the 2020 Nobel Literature Prize on Thursday, an unexpected choice known for themes of childhood and family life that draw inspiration from myths and classical motifs.
Gluck, 77, was honoured "for her unmistakable poetic voice that with austere beauty makes individual existence universal," the Academy said.
She won the Pulitzer Prize in 1993 for her collection "The Wild Iris" and the National Book Award for her latest collection, "Faithful and Virtuous Night", in 2014.
The Academy’s permanent secretary Mats Malm said he had spoken to Gluck just before making the public announcement.
"The message came as a surprise, but a welcome one as far as I could tell," Malm told reporters.
Gluck was not seen as a favourite for the Nobel in the run-up to Thursday’s announcement -- though betting sites’ odds on her reportedly plunged just before Thursday’s announcement.
The chair of the Academy’s Nobel committee, Anders Olsson, lamented that she was not more well-known, "at least outside the US’ borders", and had not been translated into many other languages.
Gluck was the US Poet Laureate in 2003-2004.