Against Art

In contemporary Norwegian fiction Tomas Espedals work stands out as uniquely personal; it can be difficult to separate the fiction from Espedals own experiences. In that vein, his novel Against Art is not just the story of a boy growing up to be a writer, but it is also the story of writing. Specifically, it is about the profession of writingthe routines, responsibility, and obstacles. Yet, Against Art is also about being a father, a son, and a grandson; about a family and a familys tales, and about how preceding generations mark their successors. It is at once about choices and changes, about motion and rest, about moving to a new place, and about living. Praise for the Norwegian EditionOne of the most beautiful, most important books I've read for years.Klassekampen Espedal has written an amazingly rich novel, which will assuredly stand out as one of the years best and will also further fortify the quality of Norwegian literature abroad. Adresseavisen Against Art attacks literature while at the same time being intensely literary. Our greatest sorrows and torments, the individual experiences often so anemic in art, find a voice of their own.Morgenbladet Against Art moves me with its maternal history and proves yet again that Tomas Espedal writes great novels.Dag og Tid