Novel 11 is one of those skinny works that pack a disproportionate wallop. Skillfully translated into English by Sverre Lyngstad, my copy came from New Directions press, which has also published three other novels with similar themes written by Solstad in the 1990s.
Have you ever finished a novel with a sigh of mingled relief and bafflement (“whatever that was about I’m so very glad that it’s over); puzzled over what you had read for the last day or so; bored your companions enormously by recounting various bits and pieces (well, Mr. J was pretty bored but the cats seemed o.k. with the monologue); found yourself laughing at something you passed over at first and, finally, realized that you’d just finished one of the strangest small masterpieces that was ever likely to come your way? And all this in less than forty-eight hours? An odd reaction, to be sure, but then, this is a very odd book, at least for readers like myself who are unfamiliar with Solstad’s work. If you’ve read any of it, please share your own reactions. Don’t be shy! Are you a fan, who’s devoured everything translated into your own language (or — and I’m in awe if this is the case — were you able to read it in the original Norwegian?). Or were you more in the “one and I’m done” category?
Before going further, I need to point out that I owe my discovery of this very interesting writer to my participation in two fun reading events: Annabel’s #NordicFinds Reading Month and the 2022 European Reading Challenge. Although I already had a copy of Novel 11 as part of my subscription to the New Classics series offered by New Directions press, I’m afraid it would have languished in the TBR pile (probably near the bottom) had I not had an incentive to actually read it. Isn’t self-discipline wonderful? I’ve always wished I had some!
The basic idea of the challenge is simply to read books by European writers or set in European countries. Although I was a bit doubtful about participating, which is only sensible given my dismal completion record for challenges, I nevertheless started sorting through the shelves to see if I had any books that would qualify. As it turns out, I had quite a few. I also had so much fun doing the sort I decided that, what the heck, I might as well go ahead and officially participate. After all, unless our reach exceeds our grasp, what’s a heaven for, right? (sorry about that paraphrase, Mr. Browning). Besides, this challenge allows me to decide my own level of participation. I can be anything from a Pensione Weekender (i.e., I read one qualifying book this year) to a Deluxe Entourage (I read five). Surely I can read at least one book set in Europe or written by a European, can’t I? At last, could I have found a Challenge I can meet?
In addition to the Challenge’s official criteria (time frame; definition of European country, etc.) I decided to observe a couple of rather idiosyncratic rules in choosing my own selections. Because I’m beginning to really enjoy translated literature, I decided to limit my selections to works by non-Anglophone writers and, if possible, to pick novels set in their native country. For similar reasons, I decided to avoid fiction by writers from the U.K. or Ireland; at least half of my reading comes from British and Irish writers, and for this Challenge I’d like to expand my horizons a bit.
With very little effort I compiled the most marvelous pile, so to speak:
I actually have several other works in translation that I can’t quite locate (blame my upcoming move) . . . .
Regarding my level of participation — why not aim for the stars? In other words, the Deluxe Entourage or bust! (everyone should be optimistic at the start of a trip, don’t you think? I can always adjust my route later to fit my budge, so to speak)! Although I’m presently unsure precisely where my journey will start, my very tentative itinerary is as follows:
Norway:
The blurb compares the author to the U.S.’s Anne Tyler, IMO high praise indeed. I’m always interested in family relationships and this story of the ramifications created when a seventy-year old couple decide to divorce promises to provide some interesting dynamics. Although the novel is set in Italy, its original language and characters are Norwegian; I therefore consider this the first stop in the Scandinavian leg of my trip . . . .
2. Denmark:
I continue in Scandinavia, with this tale of Anna, an elderly widow whose husband has recently died. Anna addresses her thoughts to her long-dead best friend, who just happened to be the first wife of Anna’s deceased husband. Translated from Danish by the author.
2. Sweden (my Scandinavian journey continues)
Set in a small Swedish village in the midst of winter, I’ve had this story of an unlikely friendship between two very different women sitting on my shelves for a very long time indeed. My trip through Scandinavia seems the ideal time to finally read it.
3. Iceland (my journey zigzags to a more remote corner of Scandinavia):
The title of this one pretty much explains the setting, doesn’t it? I’m very much looking forward to this tale of a young woman in 1960s Reykjavik who’s determined to carve out a career as a writer. One of my earliest acquisitions from Pushkin Press, the author is one of Iceland’s best known writers.
4. France (time to head south)
I’ve long been intending to sample Nothomb’s work and what better place to start than with this tale of a young woman and her relationships with mother, mentor and friend? Born in Japan to Belgian parents, Nothomb lives in Paris and writes in French; so I consider her novel to be the glamorous French stop on my trip!
5. Greece (my trip takes a Mediterranean twist)
Liberaki’s Three Summers comes to me by way of a great NYRB book sale (I’m afraid I’ve been overindulging in those during our awful year of the plague). Set in the countryside near Athens before WWII, it’s a coming of age tale of three sisters, told mostly from the youngest’s point of view.
6. Spain (I aim for the sixth star — perhaps out of reach, but then what are lists for?)
Described on the blurb as Spain’s Catcher in the Rye, this autobiographical novel is set in Barcelona in the years following Spain’s terrible civil war (1936-1939). Since I know little about Spain’s modern history, I’m particularly looking forward to reading this.
Well dear readers, that’s the itinerary so far. Please keep in mind, however, that I tend to be a spontaneous traveler and have frequently altered my destination depending on time, mood and opportunity.
"You Might as Well Read" 