Sharon Olds wins the TS Eliot Prize

Sharon Olds won the TS Eliot Prize last night for Stag’s Leap, which is an account of her divorce from her husband of thirty-two years, who left her for another woman. Chairman of the judging panel, the poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy, said:

‘This was the book of her career. There is a grace and chivalry in her grief that marks her out as being a world-class poet. I always say that poetry is the music of being human, and in this book she is really singing. Her journey from grief to healing is so beautifully executed.’

Stag’s Leap is written in Olds’ unique style, which mixes blunt honesty and touching intimacy. Olds takes the reader on a journey of loss and isolation as she comes to terms with her husband’s leap for freedom. Olds spoke to the Spectator recently about the collection and her poetry in general. You can read what she said here.