Septology
Novel by Jon Fosse
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Septology (Norwegian: Septologien) is a novel of seven parts by Norwegian author Jon Fosse, published between 2019 and 2021. The work is known for its minimal-punctuation narrative style and exploration of existential themes, contributing to Fosse's receipt of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2023.[1]
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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 |
Background
Fosse conceived the idea for Septology in 2015 while residing in western Norway.[2]
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.[3]
Plot
The series centers on Asle, an aging painter and widower on Norway's southwest coast. His life intertwines with that of another Asle, a doppelgänger living in the nearby city of Bjørgvin. While the protagonist leads a sober and solitary life, his counterpart struggles with alcoholism and loneliness. Fosse explores questions of identity, faith, and the human condition through their parallel existences.[4][5]
Structure
The work comprises three volumes:
- The Other Name: Septology I-II (2019)
- I is Another: Septology III-V (2020)
- A New Name: Septology VI-VII (2021)
The books were originally published in Norwegian and translated into English by Damion Searls.[6][7][8]
Style and themes
Narrative technique
Fosse employs long, flowing sentences with minimal punctuation, creating a stream-of-consciousness effect. This style immerses readers in the protagonists' introspective journeys.[9]
Major themes
Critical reception
In a review of The Other Name: Septology I-II, Harper's Magazine praised the novel as "a very strange novel, beautifully and movingly strange," emphasizing its unique narrative approach.[12] The Times Literary Supplement noted that the series is "classic Fosse, featuring intergenerational trauma, doppelgängers, obsession, depression, childhood and, of course, that niggling issue of faith."[13] The Guardian observed that Fosse's prose "has a hypnotic effect, and reading it becomes a meditative experience."[14] The New York Times described the series as "a major work of Scandinavian fiction," commending its deep exploration of art, identity, and existence.[15]
Awards and honors
Septology has garnered recognition, both in Norway and internationally. Fosse was awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Literature for his body of work, which includes Septology.[16]
In July 2024, the Times selected Septology as one of the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century.[17]
Awards include:
- 2019 Winner of the Brage Prize for Fiction[18]
- 2020 International Booker Prize for The Other Name: Septology I - II (Longlist)[19]
- 2022 International Booker Prize for A New Name: Septology VI-VII (Shortlist)[20]
- 2022 National Book Award, Finalist for A New Name: Septology VI-VII[21]
- 2022 National Book Critics Circle Award, Finalist[22]