Hello
Gentle Reader,
There
are few literary professions where a writer can be regarded as a master.
Perhaps the short story is the only literary form with such distinguishing
accolade, testifying to the exacting nature of the form, which requires a jeweler’s
eye for the detail, and spin such straw into gold. Kjell Askildsen was a recognized
and renowned short story master. The contemporary Norwegian Grand Master of
Literature unto itself, whose influence can be seen reverberating into the
literary nature of Norwegian literature. Askildsen was removed and is recognized
for his contributions to the short story form, which form the better part of
his oeuvre, which have marked him one of the most important Post-War writers of
Norway. His literary style was noted for its somber, sober, and serious tone,
riddled with bleak landscapes, darkening skies, grey seas, desolate and foreboding;
it is here on the shingle coast, or the snowed in cabin, or the smoke-filled
bar, where the greater questions and preoccupations of life were framed, discussed,
and contemplated. Despite debuting and finding great success in the short
story, Kjell Askildsen also wrote novels, and his 1969 novel: “Surroundings,”
is considered to be his mainstream break through success, complete with his developed
sober prose. By 1983, however, with the collection of short stories: “Thomas F’s
Last Notes to the Public,” that cemented Kjell Askildsen as one of the most
important writers Norway and the Norwegian language. Renowned for his concise and
sober style, misanthropic characters, bleak landscapes, and dark gallows humour.
These hallmarks of his literature became his calling card and the admirable qualities,
which critics and readers alike adored. In the simplicity of his texts, the
brute honesty, the dry ice anger, the misanthropy of his characters, and the relieving
dark humour reads clamored to enjoy the works of Askildsen.
Norwegian
literature is perhaps misrepresented as always being bleak, existential, and
sparse. Repetitive and back and forth, reminiscent of the tide lapping on the
shore before receding into itself once again—think Jon Fosse—but before Jon
Fosse, there was Kjell Askildsen who surveyed the fjords, the shingled beaches,
the grey skies, the persistent snow-covered mountains, the ancient boreal
forests, and the shut-in people, who were tucked into their quarters to wait
out the winter. It was Kjell Askildsen of course who envisioned these
individuals and made them literary characters.
A
writer of a monumental legacy, Kjell Askildsen will be missed.
Rest
in Peace.
Thank-you For Reading Gentle Reader
Take Care
And As Always
Stay Well Read
M. Mary
No comments:
Post a Comment