Revered Canadian author Alice Munro died at her home Monday at the age of 92.
The author passed away peacefully at her home in Port Hope, Ontario, Penguin Random House Canada confirmed. After years of declining health, Nobel laureate Munro retired from writing following her 2012 collection “Dear Life,” according to CBS News. Her literary career culminated in a 2013 Nobel Prize in Literature, making her the first lifelong Canadian and first writer known solely for short fiction to win the award.
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world’s most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history’s most honored short story writers, has died at age 92. https://t.co/JFZtZGDHjU
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) May 14, 2024
The Swedish Academy praised her as a “master of the contemporary short story,” noting her ability to condense the complexity of a novel into a short narrative, the outlet stated. Munro, who emerged from relative obscurity in Canada in her late 30s, rose to international fame and achieved rare commercial success for a short story writer. Her works, including “Too Much Happiness,” “The View from Castle Rock,” and “The Love of a Good Woman,” have sold over a million copies across North America. After her Nobel win, “Dear Life” climbed to the top of The New York Times bestseller list for paperback fiction. (RELATED: Nobel Prize Winner Cracks Genetic Code For Ancient Species Of Human)
Her stories frequently delve into the complexities of human relationships and personal histories, infused with sharp psychological insight and subtle humor. Known for clever plot twists and shifts in time and perspective, Munro’s stories connect with a global audience, transcending cultural boundaries, according to CBS News. Among her most acclaimed works are “The Beggar’s Maid,” which insightfully explores a turbulent relationship, and “Corrie,” a story about the intricacies of forbidden love.