John Foss has won the 2023 Nobel Prize for Literature! Readers interested in the works of Nobel Prize winners will surely be happy to know that the novel "Another Name..." is available on the Russian market. Learn the story of two artists with the same name but completely different biographies.
When John Foss was announced as the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature for the past 2023, few Russian readers knew his name. Interest in his novel "Another Name. Septology I-II" grew rapidly, and publishers had to increase the print run.
Who is John Foss
John Foss was born in Hoegesunn in 1959. He has a degree in comparative literature and also studied philosophy. He made his debut as a novelist at the age of 34. In September 2023, his novel "Another Name. Septology I-II."
As you can guess, the story ultimately consists of seven parts. The whole book is already available on the Norwegian market, so Russian readers will probably be able to get acquainted with it after some time.
Characters
John Foss tells the story of two men with the same name, Asle. They are both artists. The first of them, a widowed painter, makes a living by selling his work. Every year he organizes a painting exhibition in Bjorgvin. The locals willingly buy them there. The man has quit drinking and has become a deep believer. He is undoubtedly a success.
The second Asle lives in Dulgue. He is far from successful. His character seems to be the alter ego of the first man. Fosse's characters live separate lives. An incomplete life. One day they will both meet. Will it change anything in their lives?
Nobel Prize winner's greatest work.
John Fosse himself considers this novel his outstanding work. He writes about art, God, transience and intimacy,
about love and death. And about addictions. By his own admission, as a recovering alcoholic and someone who has become deeply religious over the years, he understands his hero perfectly. However, the Norwegian emphasizes that Septology is not autobiographical prose.
"Another Name. Septology I-II" is not an easy read. Meeting the characters requires concentration. And it's not just the lack of dots in the text, but the way the story is told, the memories, anecdotes and notes of conversations woven into it.
The author tried in his work to keep the vividness of the language. I think that everyone will get something different out of this prose.