A review by reggiewoods
Septology by Jon Fosse

challenging emotional reflective relaxing sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Asle is an aging painter, widower, and recovering alcoholic. The story takes place in over a few days before Christmas, told through Asle’s stream-of-consciousness as he contemplates the meaning of his life and recalls his past. The narration flows seamlessly from thoughts of love and purpose to addiction and religion. Fosse manages to tell some beautiful stories through Asle’s thoughts without making them feel artificial (great job on the translation by Damion Searls). This is a tale that is low on action and heavy on contemplation and character development. I won’t soon forget Asle or his doppelganger Asle, and what I felt as he imagined what could have been. It’s a very somber novel and will appeal mostly to readers into philosophy (specifically from the Nordic regions) and modernism/postmodernism. I think it was absolutely brilliant, but I don’t think it is for everyone.