Jon Fosse, the Norwegian author, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2023, has written many books and plays. His Septology runs 670 pages with one sentence. It's, perhaps, my favorite book of all times, consequently I read it twice. M lent me another of Fosse's books, which was published in 2015 and is a short 108 pages.
Morning and Evening would be a good introduction to Fosse. If a reader likes it then Septology would be a logical next step. Conversely, if one doesn't like Morning then Septology likely wouldn't appeal. The book cover says "Fosse is our age's great writer of light and darkness." Randy Boyagoda, New York Times. Also on the cover, "...Morning and Evening is a novel concerning the beautiful dream that our lives have meaning."
The book opens with Johannes birth and ends with his death as old man. His meaningful life, with a good marriage and seven good children, is learned via his stream of consciousness In the book almost nothing happens in real time. But, in his consciousness a life time well lived is made known to the reader. It's full of Norwegian patterns of speech and social intercourse. It always reminds me of the culture in which I grew up. There's patterns of taking things for granted with frequently stating and re-stating the obvious. It makes clear Fosse's understanding of the reality of God which is profound and with which I agree. Not the omniscient, omni-potent God of popular culture.
Very happy to have read it...thanks M!
Takk for alt,
Al
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