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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
Hunger by Knut Hamsun is a gripping psychological fiction and haunting story of a chaotic failed nameless writer who struggles to make ends meet. The writer wanders around while being extremely hungry to pursue his dreams. Idk man, Hunger paved the way. I will read more classics and Knut Hamsun's works in the future.
Such a fine example of singular narrative storytelling, entirely in the mind, losing threads and entirely without plot, and then just ending. Loved it.
Sadly I also put it down halfway through and really struggled to get back into it, but the fault there is mine.
This edition also included a really ace afterword written by Paul Auster in 1970 reminding me why the book was so worthy of acclaim (like listening to your uni lecturer waxing lyrical), which is probably realistically why I’m giving this 4*s instead of 3.
And also made me want to draw comparisons with The Wonder and the religious links with fasting and starving oneself with a higher power in mind… but not today.
Cheers.
Sadly I also put it down halfway through and really struggled to get back into it, but the fault there is mine.
This edition also included a really ace afterword written by Paul Auster in 1970 reminding me why the book was so worthy of acclaim (like listening to your uni lecturer waxing lyrical), which is probably realistically why I’m giving this 4*s instead of 3.
And also made me want to draw comparisons with The Wonder and the religious links with fasting and starving oneself with a higher power in mind… but not today.
Cheers.
adventurous
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“There I sat, recalled mercilessly to life and misery. My first feeling was of stupid amazement at finding myself in the open air; but this was quickly replaced by a bitter despondency, I was near crying with sorrow at being still alive.”
Fantastic stream of consciousness story, where a starving artist, both hungry in body and hungry in creative ambitions, slowly loses his mind. He's no romanticized martyr for his art though. Rather, he's a complicated, absurd character. Wishes for death, doesn't get it, then keeps suffering and remains trapped in his cycle of needing to maintain a facade of dignity and self-sabotaging his life. I read Egerton's translation, need to reread with Lyngstad's version.
Fantastic stream of consciousness story, where a starving artist, both hungry in body and hungry in creative ambitions, slowly loses his mind. He's no romanticized martyr for his art though. Rather, he's a complicated, absurd character. Wishes for death, doesn't get it, then keeps suffering and remains trapped in his cycle of needing to maintain a facade of dignity and self-sabotaging his life. I read Egerton's translation, need to reread with Lyngstad's version.
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Great writing, incredible depiction of the mind of someone who is living with hunger. At first I was disappointed with the ending, but after giving it further thought, I think that it works.
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes