‘A giant in Canadian literature,’ PM says
Alice Munro, hailed as a master of the short story, named winner of the Nobel Prize in literature
Hailing her as a master of the short story, the Royal Swedish Academy has named Alice Munro as the winner of the world’s biggest literary prize, marking what observers called a monumental day for both the author and Canadian writing.
Munro Thursday became just the second Canadian-born author to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, and only the 13th woman to do so since it was founded in 1901. The prize is worth approximately $1.3 million Cdn.
“I knew I was in the running, yes, but I never thought I would win,” the reclusive 82-year-old Munro said when reached in Victoria. She added that she was delighted and “just terribly surprised.”
In a statement supplied by her publisher, she went on to say she hoped the accolade would help turn on a spotlight on Canadian writers.
“I am dazed by all the attention and affection that has been coming my way this morning,” she said.
“When I began writing there was a very small community of Canadian writers and little attention was paid by the world. Now Canadian writers are read, admired and respected around the globe. I’m so thrilled to be chosen as this year’s Nobel Prize for literature recipient. I hope it fosters further interest in all Canadian writers. I also hope that this brings further recognition to the short story form.”
Munro had been considered a perennial contender for the Nobel Prize in literature, with Britishbased betting company Ladbrokes positioning her as the second-mostlikely recipient this year behind Japanese master Haruki Murakami.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the prize “is the culmination of a lifetime of brilliant writing.”
“Ms. Munro is a giant in Canadian literature and this Nobel Prize further solidifies Canada’s place among the ranks of countries with the best writers in the world,” Harper said.
“I am certain that Ms. Munro’s tremendous body of work and this premier accomplishment will serve to inspire Canadian writers of all ranks to pursue literary excellence and their passion for the written word.”
Although Munro is a perennial bestseller in Canada, booksellers across the country were optimistic the prize would introduce a new crop of readers to her work.
At Munro’s Books in Victoria, the store that Munro co-founded with her first husband, Jim, in 1963, store manager Jessica Walker said upon hearing the news on the radio Thursday morning she immediately ordered more books from Munro’s publisher, and, upon arriving at the store, moved every copy they had in stock to the front of the store.