Against Art
Imot kunsten
In contemporary Norwegian fiction Tomas Espedal’s work stands out as uniquely bound up with the author’s personal experiences. His last book, the prize nominee Tramp, introduced us to the wanderer Tomas. Against Art is a novel that focuses on the author; on how a boy approaches art and eventually becomes a writer. It is about the profession of writing, about routines, responsibility and obstacles. But it is also a story about being a father, a son and a grandson; it is about a family and a family’s stories and about how preceding generations mark their successors. And it is a story about choices and changes, about motion and rest, about moving to a new place and about living.
“Tomas Espedal has a personally centred literary project that he pursues and expands with fascinating force and consistency.”
Stavanger Aftenblad
“A lyrical style that captures both fleeting and enduring moments of happiness, but dwells to an even greater extent on the loss and grief that will and must follow. Espedal’s writing sparkles, some of his lines shine out, rich in association.”
Aftenposten