Rereading Norwegian Jon Fosse's Nobel Prize winner, Septology, was well worth the effort. The first reading of this lengthy book was focused too much on the incidentals of the protagonist's life. On second reading I focused much more attention on the main character's reflections. These were on the nature of God, God's method of revelation, light out of darkness and the ubiquitous of grace. Fosse has apparently read, and appreciated in a deep sense, the writings of the medieval mystic Meister Eckert. This is not a book for the literalist given as it is to thoughts about divine mystery.
Another inmate of the OFH, Michele, has also read Septology. By prior arrangement we met at lunch today to discuss it. She's erudite, well versed in Jungian Psychology and a Franciscan oblate. Our notes of the key passages, concepts and deep ideas matched almost perfectly. Beside the mutual delight in the contents of the book she helped me understand the interplay of characters, doppelgangers, intrinsic to the story. My reading in that regard was too literal.
Fosse is an author I will read more of. His short novelette, The Shining, was very profound. He is the author of numerous writings besides novels. He's written many plays and children's books.
Takk for alt,
Al
Our tent camp on the base of Mt. Fuji, Japan where we were for cold weather training in 1961.
No comments:
Post a Comment