American poet Louise Gluck wins Nobel for Literature

The 2020 Nobel Prize in Literature has been awarded to the United States poet Louise Glück "for her unmistakable poetic voice that with austere beauty makes individual existence universal."

She is the first American to win the prestigious award since Bob Dylan was honored in 2016. Toni Morrison was the last American to receive the prize before him, winning in 1993.

Glück, born 1943 in New York, lives in Massachusetts and is also professor of English at Yale University.

The Academy's permanent secretary Mats Malm said he had spoken to Gluck just before making the announcement.

"The message came as a surprise, but a welcome one as far as I could tell," he said.

Her poetry focuses on the painful reality of being human, dealing with themes such as death, childhood, and family life.

She also takes inspiration from Greek mythology and its characters, such as Persephone and Eurydice, who are often the victims of betrayal.