Hamsun wrote to a friend and critic about his best-known book, Hunger (1890), “If we add it up, I don’t think you’d find more psychical emotions in Raskolnikov than in my book.”

For the author this emphasis on psychology is very deliberate. The book is translated from the Norwegian. She tried to laugh, but I could see her boss staring at me.įirst published in 1894, Pan is an early example of the influence of psychology upon literature – certainly early for Scandinavian writers. It's okay, she said after a few seconds. Oh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I said. Her face crumpled as though I'd just slapped her. I reached into the jar and took back my ninety cents. Why don't you come back and tell me tomorrow? I'm in the middle of doing something with Mac here. It's the way he has of describing people, I explained. The Norwegian who wrote the book I'm reading, I said. You know, I said, speaking a bit too quickly, I believe I can tell you what's special about Hamsun. There was a little jar of coins in front of me with a sign saying BEER MONEY. She was talking with an older man who looked like her boss. After a while, I walked over to the counter. I realised that I didn't even know the waitress's name. I drank my coffee slowly and tried to think how to explain the charm of the writing. I sat and tried to read Pan, but I was unable to concentrate. You see, I'm not disturbing you, she said, and she patted my hand. She put down the coffee on the table with exaggerated care. A coffee? And I'll leave you alone with your book. She fetched a rag and mopped up the mess I'd made.

I was so embarrassed by my clumsiness that tears almost came into my eyes. I shifted my position and stretched out my hand, knocking over a glass of water. So what are you doing later today? she asked. I wanted to tell her more about Hamsun's style, but she interrupted me. They were almost the same language in 1894. You can't tell the difference? she said and raised her eyebrows. She was a pretty brunette who looked about twenty.

I realised she had been there for some time. After a while, I looked up and saw that one of the waitresses was standing behind me. I went into the café and sat down in the corner.

Knut hamsun glad pdf