Comments on: On The Nobel Prize in Literature

By: Ronak M Soni

Ronak M Soni — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:21:24 +0000

Nicely said, Stewart.
Looking forward to reading her, if and when I find one of her books in this damn country.

By: Stewart

Stewart — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 23:03:38 +0000

Randy, good to hear that Land Of Green Plums was enjoyable. I have it on my desk, along with The Passport.

I also liked how the author of the EW article lamented the fact that the material in Müller’s book sounded daunting.

I just wonder why he is even bothering to write an article if he has no authority to pass comment, having not read Müller.

What does Philip Roth (or John Updike before his death) say that is relevant to the rest of the world? I admire and respect them both, but it has to be admitted that their gaze is inward (and that is in no way a criticism) which seems to make the Nobel an unlikely award.

I’ll go with this, Kevin. As much as like what Roth I’ve read, I don’t think he’s worth a Nobel. Still, I’ve a long way to go with him and have only read minor works, so that may change. But of the American authors, were one to get it, I daresay he’s the one I’d plump for. Thomas Pynchon, no thanks. Cormac McCarthy, who I like, but…well, no. They’d probably go with someone out of leftfield and perhaps more protean, like William T. Vollmann, who I’d like to read one day…if he wrote a small book.

By: KevinfromCanada

KevinfromCanada — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:29:38 +0000

An excellent analysis, Stewart, and one that I heartily second. I am not a big fan of the Nobel Prize for Literature but it does, consistently, point me toward authors whom I should read. I don’t necessarily like them all, but the Prize gives me a start. As for the American complainers, I would ask: What does Philip Roth (or John Updike before his death) say that is relevant to the rest of the world? I admire and respect them both, but it has to be admitted that their gaze is inward (and that is in no way a criticism) which seems to make the Nobel an unlikely award. Perhaps if the Americans opened up the Pulitzer to those authors who are not U.S. citizens there might be a legitimate argument.

By: Steph

Steph — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:43:16 +0000

What a wonderful and insightful post! One thing I actually enjoy about the Nobel Prize is that it seems to expand my reading so that I encounter authors I never would have heard of otherwise (and often they come from countries whose literature I’ve never experienced). And I have never been strayed wrong thus far when it comes to reading the Nobel Laureates.

Of course it is wonderfully ironic that you link to an article that bemoans another unknown author winning the prize and then you also remind us of the quote last year about how Americans are too insular in their reading. It was just a fantastic juxtaposition. I also liked how the author of the EW article lamented the fact that the material in Müller’s book sounded daunting. Heaven forefend that Nobel winning literature should challenge us as readers intellectually!

By: Randy

Randy — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:16:38 +0000

I find the American media xenophobic response personally embarrasing. After reading her Herztier (translated as The Land of Green Plums), I had to consider that the only way I would have discovered the best novel I have read this year was thanks to the Swedish Academy.

I invite all americans in the ‘Herta Who’ camp to read Herztier and get back to us… what are you saying now?

By: Rebecca Reid

Rebecca Reid — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:54:27 +0000

What great sentiments! I personally love the fact that this is a great writer that I haven’t read yet. Of course, there are plenty of great writers I’ve heard of that I haven’t read yet, but still, it’s a great bit of discovery.

Thanks for sharing this!