Psalm at Journeys End
1998 Nominated

Psalm at Journey’s End

Translated from the original Norwegian
artwork-image

ABOUT
THE BOOK

A vividly imagined, gripping novel about the ship’s orchestra on the Titantic, doomed to play to the very last. On April 10 1912, seven musicians board the Titanic. They are a motley crew, coming from across Europe to play on the maiden voyage of the world’s largest passenger ship. During their final five days, their life stories gradually unfold each musician embodying one private part of the mosaic that is Europe on the edge of the century.

Original title in Norwegian Salme ved reisens slutt published byJ.W. Cappelens Forlag (1990)

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR Erik
Fosnes Hansen

Erik Fosnes Hansen is a Norwegian author who made his debut at age twenty with the novel Falketårnet. His most famous work is his second novel, Psalm at Journey’s End, which in separate but steadily more interwoven stories follows the individual musicians that end their careers and lives at Titanic. The book has been translated into more than twenty languages. A Part II follow-up to Beretninger om beskyttelse (Tales of Protection) has been announced but is not yet completed.

Fosnes Hansen has also published poetry, and is a frequent contributor to contemporary public cultural debate

Erik Fosnes Hansen is a Norwegian author who made his debut at age twenty with the novel Falketårnet. His most famous work is his second novel, Psalm at Journey’s End, which in separate but steadily more interwoven stories follows the individual musicians that end their careers and lives at Titanic. The book has been translated into more than twenty languages. A Part II follow-up to Beretninger om beskyttelse (Tales of Protection) has been announced but is not yet completed.

Fosnes Hansen has also published poetry, and is a frequent contributor to contemporary public cultural debate

ABOUT
THE TRANSLATOR Joan
Tate

Joan Tate née Eames (23 September 1922 – 6 June 2000) was a British writer and translator, translating works by many leading Swedish and other Scandinavian language writers into English.

Joan Tate née Eames (23 September 1922 – 6 June 2000) was a British writer and translator, translating works by many leading Swedish and other Scandinavian language writers into English.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Country
Norway
Original Language
Norwegian
Publisher
Farrar, Straus & Giroux
Translator
Joan Tate
Translation
Translated from the original Norwegian

RELATED FEATURES

Video August 27 2026

2026 Dublin Literary Award Winner in Conversation

Watch 2026 Dublin Literary Award winner, Ali Smith, and author Belinda McKeon in conversation, which took place on 22nd May 2026 at the Dublin International Literature Festival
Video August 27 2026

2026 Dublin Literary Award Ceremony

Watch back the 2026 Dublin Literary Award Ceremony which took place on 21st May 2026
News May 21 2026

2026 Dublin Literary Award Winner Revealed

Discover this year's winner!
Video May 16 2026

Brigitte Giraud – Live Fast Q&A

Q&A Session with 2026 Dublin Literary Award shortlisted author Brigitte Giraud, author of Live Fast, exploring the inspirations behind her novel.

STAY CONNECTED

Stay in touch and sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and updates on the Dublin Literary Award.