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| Author | Jon Fosse |
|---|---|
| Original title | Septologien |
| Translator | Damion Searls |
| Language | Norwegian |
| Genre | Literary fiction |
| Publisher | Fitzcarraldo Editions (English) |
Publication date | 2019–2021 |
| Publication place | Norway |
Published in English | 2019–2021 |
| Pages | 1,250 (combined) |
| ISBN | 978-1-913-09715-8 |
Septology (Norwegian: Septologien) is a heptalogy by Norwegian author Jon Fosse, published between 2019 and 2021. Written in Fosse's characteristic minimalist style, the series comprises seven parts divided across three books. It delves into themes such as faith, mortality, art, and identity, following the reflections of an aging painter.
Background
editSeptology represents a significant moment in Fosse's literary career, departing from his earlier works, which focused predominantly on theatre. Known for exploring existential and spiritual themes, Fosse conceived the idea for Septology in 2015 while residing in western Norway.[1]
A convert to Catholicism, Fosse has described Septology as an exploration of his spiritual beliefs, grappling with the nature of existence and the possibility of transcendence.[2] Despite its religious undertones, Fosse has emphasized that the work is not a strictly Christian narrative, but rather a meditation on universal human concerns.[3]
The novel was published in seven parts across three books.
- The Other Name: Septology I-II
- I Is Another: Septology III-V
- A New Name: Septology VI-VII
Plot Summary
editThe narrative of Septology revolves around Asle, an elderly painter living on the coast of Norway, who reflects on his past and present while grappling with themes of artistic creation, loss, and spirituality. The novel alternates between two timelines: Asle's present-day life and his memories of his late wife, Ales. Another painter named Asle, living in a different part of Norway, also features prominently, sharing many characteristics with the protagonist.[4]
The novel's structure is unconventional, with long, unpunctuated sentences that evoke the flow of thought and prayer. Asle's reflections on mortality and faith form the narrative's core, with frequent shifts between the physical and spiritual realms. The work explores duality through the doubling of the two Asles, who appear as mirror images, representing contrasting paths in life and death.[5]
Style and Themes
editFosse's writing in Septology has been compared to the stream of consciousness technique employed by authors like James Joyce and Virginia Woolf.[6] However, his approach is more meditative and focused on capturing the rhythms of everyday life.[4] His minimalist prose, characterized by repetition and simplicity, often mimics religious rituals and prayers, which align with the novel's themes of faith, transcendence, and mortality.
The tension between the physical and the spiritual permeates the narrative. As Asle contemplates his mortality, he struggles with the transient nature of life while seeking spiritual understanding. The doubling motif, seen in the portrayal of two Asles, highlights the duality of existence and the contrasting possibilities of life and death.[3]
Reception
editReviewers have praised Fosse’s ability to create a work that is at once timeless and immediate, further noting its stylistic innovation and thematic depth. Septology is notable for its innovative form, which merges elements of prose and poetry.The New Yorker described Septology as "a radical, quiet work of art" and commended its meditative, hypnotic quality.[5] The New York Times hailed the novel as a "masterpiece" that grapples with profound existential questions, particularly its exploration of faith and mortality.[1]
Awards and honors
editSeptology has garnered significant recognition, both in Norway and internationally. Fosse was awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Literature for his body of work, which includes Septology.[7] Other honors include:
- Shortlisted for the 2020 International Booker Prize for The Other Name: Septology I - II[8]
- Shortlisted for the 2022 International Booker Prize for A New Name: Septology VI-VII[9]
- 2022 National Book Award, Finalist for A New Name: Septology VI-VII[10]
- 2022 National Book Critics Circle Award, Finalist[11]
- Winner of the Brage Prize for Fiction (2019)[12]
- Named a Best Book of the Year by The New Yorker[13]
- Named a Best Book of the Year by Bookforum[14]
References
edit- ^ a b Kakutani, Michiko (28 June 2022). "A Novelist's Singular Vision of Art, Faith and Mortality". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ Clark, Alex (21 May 2022). "Jon Fosse: 'Writing isn't a job. It's a way of life'". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ a b Thompson, Christopher (10 December 2020). "Jon Fosse: A Spiritual Journey in 'Septology'". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ a b Jones, Martin (12 August 2022). "Septology by Jon Fosse — twin reflections on life and art". Financial Times. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ a b Wood, James (13 September 2021). "The Radical Quiet of Jon Fosse's Septology". The New Yorker. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ Sacks, S. (2022, February 25). Fiction: Jon Fosse’s ‘A New Name’ review. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 16, 2024, from
- ^ "The Nobel Prize in Literature 2023". NobelPrize.org. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
- ^ The 2020 International Booker Prize. (n.d.). The Booker Prizes. Retrieved September 17, 2024
- ^ The 2022 International Booker Prize. (n.d.). The Booker Prizes. Retrieved September 17, 2024
- ^ Andrews, Meredith (2022-10-03). "2022 National Book Award Finalists Announced". National Book Foundation. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
- ^ "2022". National Book Critics Circle. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
- ^ "Brage Prize 2019 winners announced". Norwegian Literature Agency. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ Yorker, The New (2022-10-26). "The Best Books of 2022". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
- ^ "The Lit Parade". Bookforum. Retrieved 2024-09-15.