One of Sweden鈥檚 foremost poets, the 80-year-old Transtromer is known for his subtle, multi-faceted poetry that typically explores man鈥檚 relationship with nature, and reveals mystical insights into the human mind, a result of his training in psychology. Thanks largely to the popularity of Stieg Larsson鈥檚 鈥淢illennium鈥� trilogy, interest in Swedish writing has skyrocketed in recent years, bringing the spotlight squarely on Mr. Transtromer.
"Transtromer is the person who stands head and shoulders above anyone else," said Neil Astley, founding editor at Transtromer's publishers Bloodaxe Books in Britain, a . Indeed, his odds place Transtromer above other well-known writers including Philip Roth, Joyce Carol Oates, Salman Rushdie, and Cormac McCarthy.
