1976 Nobel Prize in Literature
Saul Bellow
"for the human understanding and subtle analysis of contemporary culture that are combined in his work"
Date
  • 21 October 1976 (1976-10-21) (announcement)
  • 10 December 1976
    (ceremony)
LocationStockholm, Sweden
Presented bySwedish Academy
First awarded1901
WebsiteOfficial website
← 1975 · Nobel Prize in Literature · 1977 →

The 1976 Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to Canadian-American novelist Saul Bellow (1915–2005) "for the human understanding and subtle analysis of contemporary culture that are combined in his work".[1][2][3] He is the sixth American recipient of the prize. The previous American recipient was John Steinbeck in 1962.[3]

Laureate

Main article: Saul Bellow

Bellow made his debut with the novel Dangling Man in 1944, but his literary breakthrough came in 1953 with The Adventures of Augie March. Considered one of the innovators of the American novel, he gained wider readership with Herzog (1964), Mr. Sammler's Planet (1970), and Humboldt's Gift (1975). His themes include the disorientation of contemporary society, and the ability of people to overcome their frailty and achieve greatness or awareness. Bellow saw many flaws in modern civilization, and its ability to foster madness, materialism and misleading knowledge. Often his characters are Jewish and have a sense of alienation or otherness.[3][4] He won a Pulitzer Prize in 1976 and the only writer to win the National Book Award for Fiction three times.[5]

References

  1. ^ "Notes on People - Saul Bellow". The New York Times. November 19, 1976. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  2. ^ "Bellow Wins 1976 Nobel Prize". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 22 October 1976.
  3. ^ a b c "Award Brings U.S. a Sweep of Honors". New York Times. 22 October 1976.
  4. ^ Saul Bellow – Facts nobelprize.org
  5. ^ "National Book Foundation - Explore the Archives". National Book Foundation. Retrieved 16 December 2022.

External links

Laureates of the Nobel Prize in Literature
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