As a young man, Norwegian Knut Hamsun (1859-1952) winner of the 1920 Nobel Prize for literature, sojourned in America, where he worked and traveled widely -. In this first volume he feelingly describes his disdain for this `Philistine land,' its people and its customs - Once back home, his letters - discuss his desire to create a new literature, one that would break away from conventions and explore psychological motivations and experiences, `the mimosa of thought, the fine fragments of feeling'."" - Publishers Weekly. From his experimental novels of the 1890s to the broader narrative sweep of his later works, Hamsun's contribution to the development of the modern European novel is uniquely important. ""Well translated - informatively introduced."" - TLS.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
As a young man, Norwegian Knut Hamsun (1859-1952), winner of the 1920 Nobel Prize for literature, sojourned in America, where he worked and traveled widely. In this first volume of his correspondence, he feelingly describes his disdain for this "philistine land,"p. 99 its people and its customsp.87 . He directs barbs at feministsp.92 , American Indiansp.89 and the entire North. (He decries the South's defeat in the Civil War, writing that the U.S. lost its chance for "a gracefully guided cultural aristocracy" and was instead stuck with "hard-fisted democracy."p.63-64 ) Once back home, his letters describe his neurasthenic sensitivities and discuss his desire to create a new literature, one that would break away from conventions and explore psychological motivations and experiences, "the mimosa of thought, the fine fragments of feeling." Unfortunately, we read too little of this and too much of Hamsun the ambitious, arrogant, dour young man, largely interested in enlisting financial support from would-be patrons and campaigning to get his works published. Such material is tedious fare for the general reader and, particularly at the hefty price tag, will find an enthusiastic audience only among students of Scandinavian literature.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Norwegian
Original Language: Norwegian
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Knut up close and personal: I nearly fell off my chair!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Knut Hamsun: Selected Letters, Vol. I: 1879-1898 (Norvik Press) (Paperback)
Being a Hamsun fan, I was naturally elated whilst reading his (selected) letters. He is in fine form, sometimes even 'off his nut' (hee-hee!); more sensible, perhaps, is the behind-the-scenes look at the man which can be fragmented from these selections. Most certainly valuable reading material for all admirers of the man and/or the writer. Volume Two is also a must!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nice collected letters!,
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Knut Hamsun: Selected Letters, Vol. I: 1879-1898 (Norvik Press) (Paperback)
Hamsun's selected letters volume 1 makes us to understand his personality better. Hamsun always thought only one thing: writing. Reading his letter, it was nice to know that even the great writer had a difficult time writing his books.
Hamsun thought about writing, which was his mission in his life and faithfully continued writing book after book. Reading his letters, you cannot help yourself to think that Hamsun just worked on his destiny relentlessly, which God prepared for him. If you love Hamsun, you must read this book!
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Essence of Knut Hamsun,
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This review is from: Knut Hamsun: Selected Letters, Vol. I: 1879-1898 (Norvik Press) (Paperback)
[PROFILE]:
"..Knut Hamsun orig.(born Aug.4,1859,Lom,Nor.-died Feb.19,1952,near Grimstad)Norwegian novelist,dramatist,and poet.Of peasant origin,he had almost no formal education.His semiautobiographical first novel,HUNGER(1890),about a starving young writer,revealed his impulsive,lyrical style.It was followed by such works as MYSTERIES(1898),in which he established himself as a leader of the Neoromantic revolt against social realism.GROWTH OF THE SOIL(1917)and his many other novels* express a message of fierce individualism and back-to-nature philosophy.He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1920.."[Excerpts from the Britannica Concise Encyclopedia]. [REVIEW]: Being a great admirer of Hamsun's works,I found these letters provide a very personal side of the novelist.In these superb translations of both Volumes by James McFarlane(Vol.1),and Harald Naess (Vol.II),the letters span Hamsun's whole career from it's early struggles,and into his very successful middle period, then into to the perilous and rather unfortunate and sad demise of his final years.Here is Hamsun decribing his first lucky break depicted in a letter of thanks to Johan Sorensen an early supporter or Hamsun's,who obviously had a keen eye for budding talent.This is taken from Vol.I Letter #40."..Thank you most sincerely for your great help and for your letter.To be helped in this way is enough to confuse any impressionable person.I got your letter this morning;I woke to it,and it is been many years since I woke up so happy.I do thank you for everything.Actually,it would take a pauper to understand fully the warmth of my thanks to you.I hope you will give me a chance sometime of expressing them in person.." And he did just that some years later.Hamsun had a reputation of being extremely generous,especially to writers whose talents he recognized. The letters provide vivid examples of Hamsun's inner struggles,his rather eccentric aura,his many neuroses,and an unpredictable and biting wit.This is Hamsun 'in the flesh'.You feel as though your journeying through his life yourself as 'a silent observer'.Fascinating descriptions of his travels abroad,and the struggle's for his recognition early on.Hamsun reveals his hardy sense of self-preservation,sometimes against all odds, never yielding to the very idea of failure.His tenacious,and enduring energy push him onwards and upwards through many tenuous periods.Knut had remarkable energy and an insatiable appetite for travel.He traveled widely all his life,including a significant stay in the U.S.His keen eye and genius for detailed descriptions of people and places makes this amazing collection of letters hard to put down.I attemped to make this a modest introduction,with a lack of details,as I feel it would spoil the read.If you get a chance,it is well worth the effort. These two Volumes of letters are a must if you are an admirer of his writings.This comes very highly recommended {Other suggested books by Knut Hamsun}: >Tales of Love and Loss >Victoria >The Last Joy >Pan >The Wayferer >In Wonderland >Knut Hamsun Remembers(Travels in America) >Under the Autumn Star >The Women at the Pump >Rosa >Wayfarers
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