Canadian poet, essayist and classicist Anne Carson has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature, recognising a remarkable body of work that has transformed the possibilities of contemporary poetry. For decades, Carson has occupied a singular place in literature, moving effortlessly between ancient Greek mythology, philosophy, literary criticism and the intimate complications of modern life.

Her writing is difficult to categorise. A Carson book might be a novel told entirely in verse, a meditation on heartbreak disguised as an essay, or a Greek tragedy reimagined through drawings and fragments of text. What connects them is her extraordinary ability to make the ancient feel immediate, the intellectual deeply personal, and the familiar suddenly strange.

For readers discovering her work for the first time, that originality can make knowing where to begin a little daunting. Whether you’re drawn to Greek mythology, experimental fiction or poetry about love and loss, here are the best Anne Carson books to start with.

To celebrate Anne Carson’s Nobel Prize in Literature, we’re giving one reader the chance to win all of the books featured in this reading guide. Whether you’re discovering her singular work for the first time or adding to your collection, enter your details for the chance to win the full set.