Harold Pinter has been in the news quite a bit this past month, primarily because the noted (and noteworthy) playwright turned 75 on October 10. The BBC radio stations that I tune in to had many different features on him, and BBC 3 (or was it 4?) even managed a new radio play written by the master (a play called VOICES).
Now, as if to continue on the Pinter bandwagon, the illustrious Swedes have awarded the Nobel prize for literature to Harold Pinter.
What is most interesting about this is the fact that Pinter has been an out-spoken critic of the American-led war in Iraq. According to a Yahoo news report, Pinter likens the Bush administration to the Nazis.
Interestingly enough, the Nobel peace prize was awarded to Mohamed El Baradei and the I.A.E.A. Mr. Baradei, who, by his very job would be "in the know," was one of the few voices against America's invasion of Iraq on the basis of "weapons of mass destruction." Mr. Baradei reported at that time that he didn't believe Iraq had nuclear capabilities.
Thus, we have two critics of the American war in Iraq being hailed with Nobel prizes. Is the Nobel prize committee trying to send a message?
Congratulations to Harold Pinter. For whatever reason the committee chose him, he is certainly a most deserving honoree.
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2 comments:
The story about him on NPR tonight mentioned he was more of a politico, and a very anti-Bush/Blair one, and less of a playwright these days. Did he win for some recent work, or is it more of a lifetime achievement?
Good question. I don't find anything in the news articles for what, specifically, he won the prize. Kind of makes for an even more interesting award.
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