Now this is more like it. This is my favourite portrait of Knut Hamsun (1859-1952), the Norwegian writer, in the fine art collection at Schloss von AC. Some of his novels include Hunger, Mysteries, and Pan. In 1920 Hamsun won the Nobel Prize for Growth of the Soil. The American writer Ernest Hemingway claimed Hamsun as a major influence on his own writing. Hamsun's books until recently were suppressed for partisan reasons by repressive postwar governments. Only now are young people in Europe and North America beginning to seek out marginalised Western artists such as Hamsun. It is a healthy process of rediscovery and self-knowledge and one we should encourage. In the photo (at left) note Hamsun's pin-striped three-piece suit with peak lapels in a deep charcoal flannel, white shirt, black polka-dot neck tie, and white pocket square. See, too, his sensibly short haircut and moderate sideburns. Moustache optional. A classic ensemble for chaps young or old, philistine or literary. A clean, elegant look for civilised gents.
07 December 2010
Knut Hamsun Style
Now this is more like it. This is my favourite portrait of Knut Hamsun (1859-1952), the Norwegian writer, in the fine art collection at Schloss von AC. Some of his novels include Hunger, Mysteries, and Pan. In 1920 Hamsun won the Nobel Prize for Growth of the Soil. The American writer Ernest Hemingway claimed Hamsun as a major influence on his own writing. Hamsun's books until recently were suppressed for partisan reasons by repressive postwar governments. Only now are young people in Europe and North America beginning to seek out marginalised Western artists such as Hamsun. It is a healthy process of rediscovery and self-knowledge and one we should encourage. In the photo (at left) note Hamsun's pin-striped three-piece suit with peak lapels in a deep charcoal flannel, white shirt, black polka-dot neck tie, and white pocket square. See, too, his sensibly short haircut and moderate sideburns. Moustache optional. A classic ensemble for chaps young or old, philistine or literary. A clean, elegant look for civilised gents.
I enjoy Hamsun's writing-style. It is clear and simple but still shows great depth: like an ice-covered Nordic landscape with fjords.
ReplyDeleteI agree on the style point. I hate to admit ignorance, but I have not read his work. I will correct that, thank you for introducing him.
ReplyDeleteHe was a God to us.
ReplyDeleteSven
He's a great writer. I have read all of his books.
ReplyDeleteNice post.
Yes. In a similar vein, I suggest that everyone read 'Buddenbrooks' (another Nobel winner) and 'August 1914' in the original. Very bracing.
ReplyDeleteMilquetoast
Surely, Hamsun was a great writer, perhaps the greatest Norway has ever fostered. But he has not been "suppressed" in any way. I went to what was perhaps Norway's most left-wing high school a quarter of a century ago, and had to read "Growth of the Soil" as part of the curriculum. He is widely read, discussed and appreciated, but his support for the collaborationist Quisling regime during WWII has ensured that no monuments or street names have been dedicated to him.
ReplyDeleteHamsun was one of the greatest...ever. In any language, he is great. Ironic that on the back of Pan is a blurb by another great:Isaac Singer who raves about Knut. For his support of Quisling, a Celine mistake(his was support of Vichy) or Pounds infamy, Hamsun deserves etrnal opprobium...but, more than , say, Sartre, who supported the gulag archipelago---after the facts came out? Or Twain who railed against the genocide in Congo, Belgian Congo, but viewed American Indians as "less than a foxes whelp"? Of course not...even though this last example is not on par with physical support of a diet-Nazi regime...I still like Hamsun and make excuses for his awful choices...I chalk it up to Alzheimers. I could be wrong, I am usually very wrong
ReplyDeleteTrying to explain away Hamsun's political choices by saying he was mentally reduced are out of fashion in Norway - as they should be. It was a way of saving the nation's face that demeans both the nation and Hamsun, in my humble opinion.
ReplyDeleteIt's far more common today to just face the obvious fact; Hamsun was a sympathizer with National Socialism, whose ideals are found in abundance in his writings.
I'm actually more inclined to write off Sarte than Hamsun, and not just because I'm a rabid anti-Communists. For while Hamsun was a storyteller, Satre was someone who claimed to be some sort of teacher.
Can someone help my buddy with a paper he has to write on PAN by HAMSUN(3 pages single paced)
ReplyDelete