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Melancholy I-II — WINNER OF THE 2023 NOBEL PRIZE IN LITERATURE
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Format: Paperback / softback
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See moreMelancholy I-II is a fictional invocation of the nineteenth-century Norwegian artist Lars Hertervig, who painted luminous landscapes, suffered mental illness and died poor in 1902.
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Description
Melancholy I-II is a fictional invocation of the nineteenth-century Norwegian artist Lars Hertervig, who painted luminous landscapes, suffered mental illness and died poor in 1902. In this wild, feverish narrative, Jon Fosse delves into Hertervig's mind as the events of one day precipitate his mental breakdown.
A student of Hans Gude at the Academy of Art in Dusseldorf, Hertervig is paralysed by anxieties about his talent and is overcome with love for Helene Winckelmann, his landlady's daughter. Marked by inspiring lyrical flights of passion and enraged sexual delusions, Hertervig's fixation on Helene persuades her family that he must leave.
Oppressed by hallucinations and with nowhere to go, Hertervig shuttles between a café, where he endures the mockery of his more sophisticated classmates, and the Winckelmann's apartment, which he desperately tries to re-enter—a limbo state which leads him inexorably into a state of madness.
Published here in one volume in English for the first time, Melancholy I-II is a major novel by 'the Beckett of the twenty-first century' (Le Monde).
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Melancholy I-II by Jon Fosse has been described as a deeply philosophical and emotionally resonant work, characterised by its poetic simplicity and unique literary form. The novel is noted for its profound existential narrative, capturing themes of faith, loneliness, and the complexity of an artist's inner life. Critics commend Fosse's ability to strip down emotions to their core, creating a meditative and atmosphere-rich reading experience.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781804271018
Publisher: Fitzcarraldo Editions
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 01 November 2023
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Fitzcarraldo Editions
Contributors:
- Edited by Damion Searls
- Edited by Damion Searls
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 114.0mm
Height: 197.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 416
Collections
About the Author
Damion Searls is a translator from German, Norwegian, French and Dutch, and a writer in English. He has translated nine books by Jon Fosse, including the three books of Septology.
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