Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2023 - 31

ILLUSTRATION: RANDALL NELSON; PHOTO: FREDRIK AHLSEN/VISIT NORWAY
AMBASSADOR INSIGHTS
Norwegian Literature
BY ANNIKEN KRUTNES
A
sk three Americans for
an example of Norwegian
literature, and you're likely
to get three totally different
responses. Dedicated theatergoers
will remember Henrik
Ibsen. Fans of crime novels will
point to Jo Nesbø. And those
with philosophical tendencies
will have something to say
about Jostein Gaarder and
" Sophie's World. "
The truth is, Norwegian
literature can't be easily
summarized by one author or
genre. It covers a great deal
of ground, from humorous
children's books to heſty tomes
with much to say about the
human condition. The good news is
that, no matter what kind of book you
like to curl up with at the end of a long
day, there's something out there to suit
your tastes.
If we look back to the very beginning
of Norwegian literature, we find texts
by Old Norse poets from the Middle
Ages-a history we share with Denmark
and Iceland-and, once Christianity
and the Latin alphabet were introduced,
a number of historical and religious
works. Aſter that period, we have to
move forward many hundreds of years
before we reach what we think of as
quintessentially Norwegian writing.
This is because of the long era that
Norway spent under Danish rule.
In 1814, however, when the Norwegian
Constitution was first signed,
Norway's creatives were flooded with
inspiration. Everyone wanted to find
ways of expressing our national
character through art. The most famous
writers of this period are Peter Asbjørnsen
and Jørgen Moe, who are like the
Norwegian version of the Brothers
Grimm. They collected folklore during
forays through the mountains and
@sonsofnorway
with having put words to the
notorious " Jante's Law. " (Ask a
Norwegian if you haven't heard
of it-and be prepared for a
long response!).
Today, Norwegian literature
retold them using language that
departed from the Danish norms.
Aſter that, Norwegian literature
developed in leaps and bounds-
especially as the language's two main
forms, Bokmål and Nynorsk, became
solidified. This is the era that gave us
Henrik Ibsen, Alexander Kielland,
Jonas Lie, Amalie Skram and Bjørnstjerne
Bjørnson-who is also the lyricist
of the Norwegian national anthem. Of
these, Ibsen is probably the best known
outside of Norway for plays like " A
Doll's House, " " The Wild Duck " and
" Hedda Gabler, " which are still read
and performed the world over.
As the 20th century got underway,
Norwegian literature truly made
a name for itself-no less than three
Norwegians won the Nobel Prize during
that century. Among these was Sigrid
Undset, author of the three-volume
historical epic " Kristin Lavransdatter, "
which remains popular both in Norway
and beyond.
In addition, poet and novelist Tarjei
Vesaas wrote renowned works like " The
Birds, " which are currently being given
new life via English translations. There's
also Aksel Sandmose, who is credited
is thriving. There are too many
accomplished and groundbreaking
authors to cover in one
column, but I'll mention a few.
I've had the honor of meeting
Karl Ove Knausgaard, whose
autobiographical " Struggle "
series has been a bestseller
across the world. More plays
by Jon Fosse are performed
across Europe than those of
any other living playwright.
Hard-hitting journalist Åsne
Seierstad tells the human side of some
of the world's most sobering stories.
And Jo Nesbø's novels are a core part
of the " Nordic noir " genre that is
currently having its heyday.
Whatever you like to read, January is
the perfect time to lie back, get koselig,
and enjoy a new book. I hope you'll add
a Norwegian author or two to the mix.
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
Anniken Krutnes
is Norway's
Ambassador to the
United States. An
expert in security
policy, the law of
the sea and Arctic issues, she has previously
served as Deputy Director General of the
Department of Security Policy, as Norway's
Ambassador for Arctic and Antarctic
Affairs, and as Norway's Ambassador to
the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
facebook.com/
NorwegianEmbassyinWashington
@NorwayAmbUSA
Jan/Feb 2023
31
http://www.facebook.com/norwegianembassyinwashington https://twitter.com/norwayambusa
Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Viking Magazine - Jan/Feb 2023
