The awarding of the 2010 Nobel Prize in Literature is imminent, and the hopes of American literature fans rest on Cormac McCarthy to be the first American author to win the prize since Toni Morrison in 1993.

The betting odds on McCarthy, famous for his southern gothic style and the conversion of many of his books into movies (The Road and No Country For Old Men being the most famous), have moved from 66 to 1 down to 8 to 1.

The prize will be announced on Thursday.

Should McCarthy win, he is likely to be claimed by Ireland as yet another Irish Nobel Literature prize. Originally named Charles, McCarthy renamed himself – or was renamed, depending on which version you believe – after the ancient Irish King, and he once took a trip to Ireland to track down his ancestors.