Against Art
2013 Longlist

Against Art

Translated from the original Norwegian by James Anderson

ABOUT
THE BOOK

In contemporary Norwegian fiction Tomas Espedal’s work stands out as uniquely personal; it can be difficult to separate the fiction from Espedal’s own experiences. In that vein, his novel Against Art is not just the story of a boy growing up to be a writer, but it is also the story of writing. Specifically, it is about the profession of writing-the routines, responsibility, and obstacles. Yet, Against Art is also about being a father, a son, and a grandson; about a family and a family’s tales, and about how preceding generations mark their successors. It is at once about choices and changes, about motion and rest, about moving to a new place, and about living.

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR Tomas
Espedal

Tomas Espedal (b. 1961) debuted as a writer in 1988. In 1991, he won awards in the P2/Bokklubbens rome competition for She and I.

Founder of the Bergen International Poetry Festival, Espedal’s later works explore the relationship between the novel and other genres such as essays, letters, diaries, autobiography and travelogue. Espedal’s Go. Or the Art of Living a Wild and Poetic Life and Nearly Art have been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize.

Tomas Espedal (b. 1961) debuted as a writer in 1988. In 1991, he won awards in the P2/Bokklubbens rome competition for She and I.

Founder of the Bergen International Poetry Festival, Espedal’s later works explore the relationship between the novel and other genres such as essays, letters, diaries, autobiography and travelogue. Espedal’s Go. Or the Art of Living a Wild and Poetic Life and Nearly Art have been nominated for the Nordic Council Literature Prize.

NOMINATING LIBRARY COMMENTS

In this novel Tomas Espedal mixes fragments of his personal family history as a son and a father with moral and aesthetic reflections of being a writer.

A poetic book about lived life – beautifully written. Takes your breath away!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Date published
26/12/2011
Country
Norway
Original Language
Norwegian
Author
Publisher
Seagull Books
Translator
James Anderson
Translation
Translated from the original Norwegian by James Anderson

STAY CONNECTED

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