“Since the forest will not come to me, I must go to it…” When I first read “I have gone to the forest” - the short sentence that began Knut’s LOOK BACK ON HAPPINESS - I felt an almost spiritual connection with those simple words. I’ve read Hamsun’s other writings over the years, of course. I was a young man myself when I first read SOIL and Hamsun’s simple, powerful and haunting story of a man who comes walking north has been part of my soul ever since. Trygve Lund, who journeyed to Canada as a young man, joined the Royal North-West Mounted Police and later wrote about his experiences, has long been a fave of mine. I’ve recently discovered Mikkjel Fønhus’ masterwork TRAIL OF THE ELK and am seeking more of his works in English translation. Writers like Sigrid Undset, Per Petterson, Kjersti Scheen, Gunnar Staalesen, Jo Nesbo and Jørn Lier Horst. Perhaps this is why Norwegian writers have struck such a chord with me. I’m descended from people of the European Northcountry. And I grew up in the Northwoods of Canada. “I have gone to the forest.” The Northland is a world unto itself. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Reddit Share on Linkedin Share on Pinterest Share on Xing
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