Winning the Nobel prize in literature only underlines Anne Carson’s infinite genius | Yiyun Li

When her sons died, the Book of Goose author turned to Grief Lessons, Carson’s translation of four plays by Euripides. She reflects on the ‘life sustaining’ work of an extraordinary writer • Where to start with: Anne Carson • ‘Delights await! ’: Margaret Atwood and other writers on Anne Carson It is preposterous to agree to write a short piece on Anne Carson’s work. The task is impossible, akin to that of solving the mathematical problem of dividing zero by zero.

If one had the power to solve it, perhaps one would have some confidence in attempting to write about Anne Carson’s work. Attempting, I say, not succeeding. In attempting to do so, I shall emphasise that all words fall short in extreme situations, which not only include unfathomable losses ( of children, in my case ) but also include articulating anything about Anne Carson’s work. One could start with Carson’s words. “Words, if you let them, will do what they want to do and what they have to do. ” (Autobiography of Red) But to let the words exist in their own desires and yearnings and frustrations and confusions, to let the words scream with…