Harry Martinson – world traveller and stargazer. His authorship covers nature as well as culture, and science as well as art. Through nature, Martinson opened perspectives into the microcosm and outward to the dizzying reaches of space. Although his depictions of the Swedish natural environment and Swedish society are firmly anchored on Swedish soil, Martinson was also a world traveller and a stargazer. Martinson received the Nobel Prize for writings “that catch the dewdrop and reflect the cosmos.” This is a fitting observation.

Yet neither Martinson nor Johnson can be said to be provincial in their authorship. In particular, Martinson’s unique treatment of the Swedish language, using unusual constructions and words he had created, makes his work difficult to render into other languages. In part, this is because their books are difficult to translate. While they were, and still are, two of the great names in 20th century Swedish literature, Martinson and Johnson are still relatively unknown abroad. On the other hand, the Nobel Prize brought no great upswing in popularity for Martinson or Johnson on the international literary scene.

Reactions abroad were not as indignant as those within Swedish cultural circles.

The Swedish Academy had awarded the Prize to two of its own members! The international impact of the two recipients was questioned, and there was concern that the award would be seen as a case of embarrassing provincialism. In the pages of several Swedish newspapers, the announcement provoked indignant reactions. In October 1974 it was announced that the Nobel Prize in Literature for that year had been awarded to Harry Martinson and Eyvind Johnson. He has been called 'the great reformer of 20th century Swedish poetry, the most original of the writers called 'proletarian'.Harry Martinson: Catching the Dewdrop, Reflecting the Cosmos The choice was very controversial, as both Martinson and Johnson were members of the academy and had partaken in endorsing themselves as laureates. He was awarded a joint Nobel Prize in Literature in 1974, 'for writings that catch the dewdrop and reflect the cosmos.', together with fellow Swede Eyvind Johnson. In 1949 he was elected into the Swedish Academy. He has been called 'the great reformer of 20th century Swedish poetry, the most original of the writers called 'proletarian'.' Detailed Biography: Harry Martinson (– February 11, 1978) was a Swedish sailor, author and poet.

Harry Martinson (– February 11, 1978) was a Swedish sailor, author and poet.

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