Nobel Prize in Literature 2011 Speculation

[Liam]

I'm overjoyed. First of all, he's a POET, Stewart be damned!!! Second of all, Sweden has finally broken the curse of "We will never award another Swede for as long as humanity exists." Thirdly, he's rather unknown here in the States, unlike Muldoon or Heaney, so it will be nice to see his books increase in sales.

[Liam]

A white European male.

White European males have produced some of the best art around, there's no other way to frame the question.

[Daniel del Real]

Immediately I went to my shelf to pick the Tranströmer book I've read. It's an edition titled For the Living and the Dead, that comprehends the best of his poetry from 1954 to 1989, the year in which he published the poems book that gives title to the volume.

[anchomal]

He is, at least, a deserving winner, though the citation is a bit vague to me, because it doesn't sound that individual and could apply to lots of writers. Does this hinder the chances of other poets now for another few years? Probably.
The fact that he's a Swede should bother no one, though it will probably bother quite a section of the media, especially the Roth-loving element.

[Heteronym]

I'm delighted that they chose a poet. The last one was Seamus Heaney, in 1996. It's been a long, long time. I haven't read Tranströmer yet, although he's been on my poetry list for months now. This only increases my resolve to read him as quickly as possible.

[Daniel del Real]

I'm delighted that they chose a poet. The last one was Seamus Heaney, in 1996. It's been a long, long time. I haven't read Tranströmer yet, although he's been on my poetry list for months now. This only increases my resolve to read him as quickly as possible.

Nope, it was Symborska in 1997. Still a lot of time passed by.

[pinkunicorn]

Nope, it was Symborska in 1997. Still a lot of time passed by.

Actually, it was Szymborska in 1996. Heaney was 1995.

[Corswandt]

the citation is a bit vague to me, because it doesn't sound that individual and could apply to lots of writers.

It's their standard issue boilerplate crap. I wouldn't read too much into it. They might as well drop it and just say the name of the winner. I liked the "Svenska! Svenska! Svenska!" cheering section though. There should be more of that.

[Daniel del Real]

Actually, it was Szymborska in 1996. Heaney was 1995.

You're so true.

[Rumpelstilzchen]

well, they could have waited a few more years and give it to some non-Europeans in between... but yes, this choice really shows their independence of any such "nationality, language, continent" issues, true, even though on first glance one could arrive at the opposite conclusion... and come to think of it, a lot of people from America will start complaining (I guess), so it also shows their backbone with respect to criticism... So I am happy now

[anchomal]

well, they could have waited a few more years and give it to some non-Europeans in between...

They could hardly have risked waiting if they wanted to honour Transtromer. He's old, isn't he, and what did they say? Crippled after a stroke? For him it seems like it had to be now or never. I mentioned somewhere back along on this thread that there are lots of writers on the Ladbrokes list (and even not on it) who'd be deserved winners, but they can't give it to everyone. Transtromer is deserving, and has been for a long time.
Yes, it will definitely peeve a lot of people, but sod the complainers.

[Corswandt]

well, they could have waited a few more years and give it to some non-Europeans in between... but yes, this choice really shows their independence of any such "nationality, language, continent" issues, true, even though on first glance one could arrive at the opposite conclusion... and come to think of it, a lot of people from America will start complaining (I guess), so it also shows their backbone with respect to criticism... So I am happy now

Which is the way it should be.

[Caodang]

what do you mean, a country with ~10 million people having 8 nobel prize winners in literature? And by coincidence this is the country where the jury sits... of course Tranströmer cannot be blamed (the same is true for current academy members) that it is the 8th Nobel prize for Sweden... considering the overall number there is someone wrong... well, ok one could say, there was something wrong in the past... I also know that it has been some time, I just think it is not very wise to give it again to a European and to someone from Sweden makes it even more problematic... of course he is worth it, so one cannot really complain...

It's OK that a poet won it this year, but it would be way more interesting and inspiring if the lucky guy were Ko Un or Adonis, I believe.

[Scott89119]

Haven't read anything from him yet, but I'm delighted with the win. Happy for Sweden, happy for poetry, happy for Transtromer who sounds like a gifted writer and public servant. I love how the Nobels are circling back and awarding the bridesmaids. You're at bat Roth.

[Daniel del Real]

It's OK that a poet won it this year, but it would be way more interesting and inspiring if the lucky guy were Ko Un or Adonis, I believe.

I think we all were expecting Adonis to win. As many people say, I hope this doesn't shut the door for him next year.

[Stevie B]

Congratulations to all of you poetry lovers out there. As my knowledge of poetry is very limited (the poems I know usually begin, "There was once a boy from Nantucket...,") I can still take joy in your joy that the art form and a master of it was recognized today.

[Stewart]

While I can't speak for Tranströmer as I haven't read him, I would wholeheartedly recommend Mary Oliver and Donald Hall to you, Stewart. Both are amazing poets with profound things to say, yet without that cerebral quality accompanying much of contemporary poetry (and prose for that matter) or tortuous ambiguity, or stupefying syntax. Oliver writes about nature and our relationship to nature, mostly; while Hall is concerned with the themes of love, sex, death, loss, the passing of time and, get this, baseball, .

Well, I picked up a collection of Mary Oliver today. No Donald Hall in the shop. We'll see how I get on.

[Liam]

Well, I picked up a collection of Mary Oliver today.

Which one?

No Donald Hall in the shop.

I'll be posting samples of his poetry later, as soon as I have some free time, so you can browse through them at your leisure and decide if he tickles your fancies...

[waalkwriter]

In case no one's said it here, allow me.

Transtromer: More than meets the eye.

[Liam]

I don't get it...