Quote:
Originally Posted by Shamil
1) Again an unknown author from a 3rd world country instead of world literature. If the author is almost unknown in the anglophone, frankophone and germanophone world (through existing translations of his work, for example), then it seems to be a local phenomena only.
2) Alexievichs work seems to be rather journalistic or historic than artistic.
3) The Nobel price should promote idealistic art (whatever that may be in 2015): The most outstanding work in an ideal direction (i en idealisk riktning) should get awarded.
So, I'm disappointed in three ways at least. |
From the Nobel Prize criteria for the Laureate in Literature:
"...the person who, in the literary field, had produced "the most outstanding work in an ideal direction". The Laureate should be determined by "the Academy in Stockholm", which was specified by the statutes of the Nobel Foundation to mean the Swedish Academy. These statutes defined literature as "not only belles-lettres, but also other writings which, by virtue of their form and style, possess literary value"
It would appear that the Academy has very wide discretion as to their choice, and that journalistic or historic writings are eligible, if they possess literary value.
As to the nationality of the laureates:
"A new policy, long on its way, had a breakthrough in the 1980s. Again, it was an attempt to understand and carry out Nobel's intentions. His will had an international horizon, though it rejected any consideration for the nationality of the candidates: the most worthy should be chosen, "whether he be Scandinavian or not". The problem of surveying the literature of the whole world was, however, overwhelming and for a long time the Academy was, with justice, to be criticized for making the award a European affair."
Source:
http://www.nobelprize.org/index.html