Hunger by Knut Hamsun Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Hunger
Book Review: A True Classic by a True Pioneer
Summary: 5 Stars
Like Dostoyevsky and Nietzsche before him, Hamsun was a true pioneer in not just literature but also modern thought. At the time this book was first published in Norway (circa 1890) the 'first person' novel was not very common at all to say the least. 'Hunger' is a semi-autobiographical work, describing a young and egocentric writer and his descent into near madness as a result of hunger and poverty. The novel takes place in the Norweigan capital of Kristiana (modern day Oslo) about a decade before the end of the 19th century. Our hero struggles to survive as he wanders aimlessly about - unemployed and unable to find work, in poor and failing health, practically homeless, and completely without anything but the tattered clothes on his back - hungering not just for subsistence, but perhaps more importantly, hungering for inspiration, dignity, and self-discovery.
If this book sounds a tad depressing, let me be the first to tell you, it is. However, please don't let that restrain you from reading this amazing piece of literature.
There is no doubt about it, Knut Hamsun was way ahead of his time. I believe that if it were not for writers such as him (along w/ a handful of others like Dostoevsky, Kafka, Mann, etal...) there wouldn't have been a Fante, Kerouac, Bukowski, Toole, etal... This is the first novel (I am half way through his Nobel Prize winning "The Growth of Soil" which I love up to this point) I have read of Hamsun. I originally became inspired to read his novels after reading John Fante (a.k.a. Bukowski's God) and learning that this was his greatest influence as a writer (interesting to note, that Ernest Hemingway himself also once wrote 'Hamsun taught me how to write').
If you are a fan of Bukowski and Fante then more than likely you will love this book. It is amazing how much the three of them have in common. For one, all three writers suffered through very difficult childhoods full of abuse and poverty. Also Hamsun, like Buke and Fante, was completely self-made and self-taught. He received most of his informal education from the 'streets'. All three writers are also very simple and economical w/ their prose. However, Hamsun is much more serious overall than the latter two, and by far the most elegant (which isn't saying much when it comes to Fante & Buke).
One of the things I admire most about the man (our hero in the story) is that no matter how much suffering and hardship he endures, no matter how many times he fails, he never completely gives up hope and he NEVER lets this cruel, alien world we live in destroy him. Also, unlike Dostoevsky, Hamsun is able to endure it all and still keep his sense of humor in tact (ala Buke, Fante, Toole, etal...) This is what truly makes him unique in my opinion! Where as writers such as Dostoevsky, Kafka and Camus lament about it all, Hamsum is able to mix into his very dark, often times disturbing novel, quite a bit of humor. In fact, many times he uses humor as a way to protect what little dignity he had left while living the life of a starving artist. And thank God for the humor, because I don't think most of us could have made it passed the second part (the novel is divided up in four parts total) without it. In fact, there were many times in this somber novel in which Hamsun had me laughing out loud hysterically, particularly in last part of the book. I guess it is true what they say, laughter is the best medicine. Now speaking of medicine, those of you out there who are hungering for a great classic novel to read, well... hunger no more. This is it!
It is a wonderful work of art!
Book Review: A great find!
Summary: 5 Stars
A great read from an extremely talented author. I had never heard of this author until I discovered him while browsing Kindle books, and am eager to read more of his work. Written well over a hundred year ago, but still powerful and relevant. A classic!Book Review: A must read!
Summary: 4 Stars
Hamsun and Celine were favorites of Charles Bukowski. Hunger is the story of a starving and struggling writer as Bukowski was himself. Note that Hamsun was sympathetic to the Nazis.Book Review: A quick page turner
Summary: 5 Stars
What a beautiful book this is, and how easy to read. I read the kindle version, and I did have some problems with translation, but the message was clearly not lost. What so adequately describes hunger and poverty and hopelessness, the author captures a day to day feeling of the rainbow of emotions that all humans feel when confronted by their own inadequacy. Reminds me of the novel "child of dark" but without the happy ending.
Worth reading at least once.
Book Review: An Early Modernist
Summary: 5 Stars
A wonderful book; I was surprised at the beautiful narrative style and imagery, especially for a book written in the middle of the nineteenth century. Its not cheerful, but one of the better books I've read recently.