Name: Derek Walcott
Year Won: 1992
Read: What the Twilight Says
Original Language: English
Reason: "for a poetic oeuvre of great luminosity, sustained by a historical vision, the outcome of a multicultural commitment"
About: What the Twilight Says is a book of essays. What are they about? All sorts of topics, although an awful lot regard life in the Carribean and the legacy of colonialism.
In particular, Walcott is known for being the artist who really challenged other artists to "de-colonize" their thought process and create works of art that are less imitative of European art.
What I liked: Beautiful writing, of course. Also many of the essays are quite thought provoking. I particularly love how he entails other artists to think of new modes of expression and not to favor, necessarily, a way of doing things just because that's How It's Been Done. (Or to write stories because those are what have been popular in the past/found approval/been in vogue with the elites.
He also casts some shade on V.S. Naipul which, honestly, gotta applaud.
What I Disliked: Most essays are very academic. Not a surprise, but this is (IMO) more a book to be read for insight and education than pleasure.
Should it have won a Nobel: Yes. Many of the ideas that Walcott originated are still being debated. He is a true luminary.
Next Up: "Beloved" by Toni Morrison
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