Victoria (Sun & Moon Classics) [Paperback]

Knut Hamsun (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2000 | Series: Sun & Moon Classics (Book 69)

novel, tr from Norwegian by Oliver Stallybrass

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Norwegian

Product Details

• Paperback: 170 pages
• Publisher: Sun & Moon Press (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557131775
• ISBN-13: 978-1557131775
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,715,030 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing articulates the nature of longing like this novel, October 15, 1999

By 

Mark Haslett ([e-mail]) (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Victoria (Sun & Moon Classics) (Paperback)

While one of Hamsun's other novels such as "Mysteries" or "Hunger" might be artistically superior to "Victoria", this novel is a favorite of Hamsun readers because of its lyricism and beauty. I cannot help but think of the passionate but doomed loves of my own life when reading this book, and so perhaps will you. This novel was a favorite of Henry Miller, who has a reputation as a sex-hound but was actually, like Hamsun, an old-fashioned romantic. "Victoria" does not succeed as a complete depiction of love, because the book describes a love that never came to fruition. Readers searching for an epic representation of mature, complex love might find "Victoria" to be too flowery and adolescent in its approach to romance...those looking for the final word on love will be disappointed. Instead, Hamsun's success lies in his capturing for all time the nature of passion and longing, the rawness of emotion and soaring of the heart that many of us, sadly, have forgotten. Anyone who has become numbed over the years by life's events may find that their long-slumbering heart awakens again upon reading this novel. Hailed as a classic in its day, "Victoria" may be even more valuable now in this era of cynicism and hearts that have forgotten the majesty of love.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most beautiful love story of all time, May 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Victoria (Sun & Moon Classics) (Paperback)

There is not a more poetic or lyrical work in existence. I have read it nine times in three years, and love every letter in it as if I were reading for the first. Not as perplexing or challenging as its predecessors, but exceptional in its own right. A perfect and pleasing introduction into Hamsun's unique and monumental world. For those already enamoured with Hamsun, don't miss this one. The subtle changes to his style in the final chapter have massive implications for his later works.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An elegantly twisted love story, November 5, 2002

By 

elana - See all my reviews

This review is from: Victoria (Sun & Moon Classics) (Paperback)

This was the first of the Knut Hamsun novels that I read, and my favorite. It's a love story like no other, there's a mixture of emotions throughout the novel, which makes it a scarcely unwritten type of love story. The use of words in this novel is excellent. You feel like you really learn when you're done reading this book, which will not take long because it's hard to put down.