Jon Fosse, the Norwegian recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature for 2023, garnered significant attention in the English-speaking world upon the announcement of his win. Last year, the final installment of his Septology was published in the United States, earning numerous accolades and steadily building a dedicated readership via positive word-of-mouth. However, Fosse has enjoyed longstanding fame and admiration worldwide as a playwright, with his works translated into 50 languages and performed on stages across the globe. His universal appeal lies in his ability to engage and resonate with audiences from all walks of life.
Over two decades ago, I stumbled upon a German translation of Fosse’s novel “Melancholy,” which served as my introduction to his fiction. I was captivated by his writing and took it upon myself to find an American publisher for the book. Since then, I have translated approximately 10 of his works, including a libretto, a play, and an upcoming children’s book. Fosse’s unique literary style, combined with his captivating storytelling, has only grown more profound and impactful in his subsequent publications.
Similar to authors like Hermann Hesse, Fosse’s narratives may appear unremarkable when summarized, but possess an emotional depth and power that can only be fully appreciated through reading. For instance, “Siddhartha” revolves around a young man’s quest for wisdom and enlightenment, while Fosse’s “Morning and Evening” depicts a childbirth scene from the baby’s perspective, followed by the last day in the life of an elderly character introduced in the first chapter. Simplicity aside, these stories have a remarkable ability to profoundly affect readers, permeating our consciousness and connecting us with the characters’ innermost thoughts and the greater forces at play in the world.
While Fosse doesn’t delve extensively into discussing his own work, he often describes it as evoking a sense of peacefulness. Reviewers frequently attribute this tranquil quality to meditation, religion, and dreams. His prose has the extraordinary capacity to transform ordinary moments, such as a man pushing a woman on a swing, into something that feels cosmic and meaningful.
Septology represents Fosse’s magnum opus, making it an excellent starting point for newcomers to his works. He dubs his writing in this series as “slow prose,” not in the sense that his other works lack depth or pace, but rather to emphasize the deliberate and contemplative nature of his storytelling. While “Morning and Evening” and “Aliss at the Fire” are shorter novels, Fosse’s upcoming release, “A Shining,” is only slightly longer. (In Europe, authors have the freedom to publish books at their intended length, rather than conforming to publishers’ expectations.) Additionally, Fosse has a substantial body of poetic work, characterized by moments of modernist brilliance, although much of it remains untranslated in English.
Regardless of the format, Fosse’s writing possesses an unmatched ability to move and affect readers. One of his books even made me cry repeatedly during the translation process, eliciting the same emotional response with each draft, during editing, and even while proofreading. The subsequent book he penned had a similar effect on me. When I translated one of his children’s books, my 8-year-old son became genuinely frightened as I read it to him before bed. He pleaded with me to stop right before the moment when the boy’s father provided reassurance and everything turned out alright. Fosse had created an experience for my son that resonated with him deeply, offering solace and comfort precisely when he needed it. In many ways, Fosse’s books provide the same profound impact on me as well.
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