TORONTO — As the anticipation grew around the Nobel Prize in Literature announcement, Claire Foster, the manager of Toronto's independent bookstore Type Books, was particularly hopeful that Anne Carson would be the recipient this year. When the announcement confirmed Carson's win, Foster's reaction was filled with joy. She expressed her excitement, saying, “I was just so excited and so happy. It’s the happiest I could have been for the announcement today, I think.”

Foster noted that Carson has been a staple on the poetry shelves at Type Books for the past 20 years. To celebrate Carson's achievement, she created a special display of the poet's works in front of the cash register, anticipating that the Nobel win would generate interest and curiosity among customers. "In the coming weeks, we plan to order more and display them prominently,” Foster promised, emphasizing the importance of making Carson's works easily identifiable and accessible to shoppers.

Indigo spokesperson Madi Downey reported a significant spike in sales and interest in Carson's works following the announcement. By midday, Carson's "Autobiography of Red" had become the top-selling book on their website, and searches for "Anne Carson" soared by an astounding 2,272 percent compared to the previous day. Her book "Nox," priced at $83.95, also saw numerous sales, showcasing the immediate impact of her Nobel win.

At Ben McNally Books, also located in Toronto, store operator Rupert McNally arrived early to stock up on Carson's works, fully aware of the customer demand that would follow the Nobel announcement. His anticipation was quickly validated, as two customers inquired about Carson just minutes after the store opened at 10 a.m.

Carson is recognized not just for her poetry but also for her essays, classical scholarship, and translations. Her genre-defying style has garnered widespread acclaim within the literary community. Carson's notable works include her verse novel "Autobiography of Red," which creatively retells the Greek myth involving Heracles and the monster Geryon. Other distinguished works include "Men in the Off Hours," the recipient of the inaugural Griffin Poetry Prize in 2001, and "The Beauty of the Husband: A Fictional Essay in 29 Tangos," which received the T.S. Eliot Prize.

McNally commented on the significance of a Canadian winning the Nobel Prize in Literature, describing it as a "huge boon" for bookstores. He anticipated a substantial increase in sales, not only for Carson’s works but also for books she has contributed to in various capacities, including those she has written introductions for. “Even books onto which she’s done introductions of other people’s works, we’ll see a jump in sales on those as well,” he noted. While McNally admitted he hasn’t read much of Carson's work before, he appreciates her thoughtfulness and intellectual depth.

Foster's enthusiasm is further amplified by her own background in translation, as she often translates works from French. She expressed that Carson’s “work as a person who translates has always been so important to me,” adding that her favorite book by Carson is "Plainwater." She continued, “But it’s really hard to choose. I find her thinking so admirable and ethical and inspiring.”

Foster voiced her excitement that the Nobel Prize might encourage readers to explore Carson's extensive catalog, which includes works published as far back as 40 years ago. “She has such a vast backlist and the Nobel is such a great occasion to think backwards, too, in terms of the work that she has been doing for decades,” Foster stated. She emphasized the significance of celebrating Carson as only the second Canadian to win a Nobel Prize in Literature, underscoring its importance for Canadian literature and readership. “It’s huge for Canadian reading and appreciation, and we feel lucky to hopefully be a beacon that people can come to find her,” she concluded.