Sometimes hailed as an extension of Dostoyevsky’s CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, Knut Hamsun’s HUNGER is in many ways a reimagining of the Russian classic. The novel is told from the point of view of a young freelance writer who wanders the streets of Oslo in search of employment. As he sinks deeper into starvation, his musings become increasingly erratic, and he ponders everything from the nature of literature to urban society to the hypocrisies of Christianity.

The language of HUNGER is lighter than that of CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, which makes it a faster and more accessible read. At that, Hamsun achieves all the stylistic finesse and timeless storytelling of the literary masters. He even sprinkles moments of humor throughout the book, as his protagonist routinely experiences artistic epiphanies in city squares and harasses innocent passers-by with fanatical ramblings.

Hamsun’s masterfully created character is sure to stay with the reader for years to come, making HUNGER a requirement for fans of psychological fiction.