Jon Fosse has won the Norwegian writer and yet another win for Fitzcarraldo, or maybe we should call them the Nobel publisher I have reviewed three of his books over the years of the blog and have found him an enigmatic and interesting writer. He has published several plays and novels here is the list from Wik
- Raudt, svart (1983). Red, Black
- Stengd gitar (1985). Closed Guitar
- Blod. Steinen er (1987). Blood. The Stone Is
- Naustet (1989). Boathouse, trans. May-Brit Akerholt (Dalkey Archive, 2017).
- Flaskesamlaren (1991). The Bottle-Collector
- Bly og vatn (1992). Lead and Water
- To forteljingar (1993). Two Stories
- Prosa frå ein oppvekst (1994). Prose from a Childhood
- Melancholia I (1995). Melancholy, trans. Grethe Kvernes and Damion Searls (Dalkey Archive, 2006).
- Melancholia II (1996). Melancholy II, trans. Eric Dickens (Dalkey Archive, 2014).
- Eldre kortare prosa med 7 bilete av Camilla Wærenskjold (1998). Older Shorter Prose with 7 Pictures of Camilla Wærenskjold
- Morgon og kveld (2000). Morning and Evening, trans. Damion Searls (Dalkey Archive, 2015).
- Det er Ales (2004). Aliss at the Fire, trans. Damion Searls (Dalkey Archive, 2010).
- Andvake (2007). Wakefulness
- Kortare prosa (2011). Shorter Prose
- Olavs draumar (2012). Olav’s Dreams
- Kveldsvævd (2014). Weariness
- Trilogien (2014). Trilogy, trans. May-Brit Akerholt (Dalkey Archive, 2016). Compiles three novellas: Wakefulness, Olav’s Dreams and Weariness.
- Det andre namnet – Septologien I-II (2019). The Other Name: Septology I-II, trans. Damion Searls (Fitzcarraldo Editions, 2019).
- Eg er ein annan – Septologien III-V (2020). I Is Another: Septology III-V, trans. Damion Searls (Fitzcarraldo Editions, 2020).
- Eit nytt namn – Septologien VI-VII (2021). A New Name: Septology VI-VII, trans. Damion Searls (Fitzcarraldo Editions, 2021).
I reviewed two of the books from the trilogy and have yet to get the other reviewed. He is the child of Bernhard and Beckett, and he is best known as a playwright he themes around jealousy and reduction of language, and he uses human anxiety.
I haven’t seen his plays but will try to at some point. Fosse is a winner I had hoped for the trilogy is his great piece about two characters with the same name a couple of doppelgangers and his masterpiece is over a 1000 pages. which came out in three parts from Fitzcarraldo’s books. I first reviewed Aliss at the fire a number of years ago.
I asked Chat gpt for 500 words about him and this is what they said
Jon Fosse is a Norwegian writer of international acclaim known for his distinctive and introspective style. With a body of work encompassing novels, plays, essays, and poetry, Fosse has made a significant impact on contemporary literature. In this 500-word exploration of Jon Fosse as a writer, we will delve into his unique literary contributions, themes, and stylistic elements.
Fosse’s writing is often characterized by its minimalist and introspective nature. He frequently delves into the inner lives of his characters, exploring their thoughts, fears, and desires with remarkable depth and nuance. His prose is spare and poetic, creating an atmosphere of quiet contemplation that invites readers to engage with the innermost recesses of the human psyche.
One of the most notable aspects of Fosse’s work is his exploration of the human condition. His characters grapple with themes of identity, existentialism, loneliness, and the passage of time. Through their introspections and interactions, Fosse offers profound insights into the complexities of the human experience. His ability to capture the essence of human existence in its raw and unvarnished form is a testament to his literary prowess.
Fosse’s writing often blurs the boundaries between reality and the metaphysical. His works frequently incorporate elements of the mystical and the spiritual, inviting readers to ponder the enigmatic aspects of existence. This fusion of the ordinary and the transcendental imbues his writing with a sense of universality, resonating with readers from diverse cultural backgrounds.
A central theme in Fosse’s oeuvre is the passage of time and the inevitability of mortality. He skillfully portrays the fleeting nature of life and the existential angst that accompanies it. His characters confront their own mortality with a sense of resignation and acceptance, prompting readers to contemplate their own mortality and the impermanence of all things.
Fosse’s contributions to the world of theater are equally significant. His plays, characterized by their spare dialogue and minimalist staging, have earned him widespread acclaim in the theatrical community. “Namnet,” “Eg er vinden,” and “Nokon kjem til å komme” are just a few examples of his renowned works that have been staged around the world. His plays often feature a small cast of characters engaged in profound and existential conversations, further emphasizing his exploration of the human condition.
In addition to his plays and novels, Fosse’s essays and poetry also merit attention. His essays provide valuable insights into his creative process, shedding light on the philosophical underpinnings of his work. His poetry, like his prose, is marked by its simplicity and depth, offering readers a glimpse into the poetic sensibilities that inform his writing.
Jon Fosse’s impact on contemporary literature is undeniable. His ability to distill the essence of human existence into spare, introspective prose has garnered him a devoted readership and critical acclaim worldwide. His exploration of themes such as mortality, identity, and the human psyche resonates with readers on a profound level, making him a writer whose work transcends cultural and linguistic boundaries. Fosse’s contributions to both literature and theater have solidified his reputation as a literary luminary, and his legacy as a writer will continue to inspire and provoke thought for generations to come.
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