Questions About Min kamp 1 (Min kamp, #1)

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Answered Questions (10)

I find it shocking that more people haven't commented on the title. I have searched through articles, and while they mention the obvious connection to Hitler, none of them ask about it in detail. WHY would he call it that, and what point is he trying to make? I can't bring myself to read the book, brilliant though it may be, because the title is too horrifying for me to move past.

Afonso It is unfair of you to consider not to read the book due to it's title. It has nothing to do with anti-semism, it simply refers to Karl's own personal…moreIt is unfair of you to consider not to read the book due to it's title. It has nothing to do with anti-semism, it simply refers to Karl's own personal fight, hence "min kamp". While I do agree that the choice of title seems to be a way to deliver some degree of shock, I don't believe you can make a complete and instant association with "Mein Kampf", let alone allow a biased, unfundamented opinion based on your ideals of political correctness keep you from reading the book or any other book for that matter.(less)

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Has anyone out there read the whole series? I just finished Book 1 and found it a little naval-gazing, too self-absorbed. Does it get any better? Mary Ellen

Jay "Jakie" Mary Ellen! I am 100% with you on your opinion. I would not consider myself an literati by any means, but I do love to read and I cannot understand wh…moreMary Ellen! I am 100% with you on your opinion. I would not consider myself an literati by any means, but I do love to read and I cannot understand why the literary community is making such a fuss over this author. I have just finished Book 1 and despite my disappointment with it will read Book 2.

Recognizing a good "read" and great literature are, of course, two different thought processes. Knausgaard is no Proust for sure and any resemblance is only in the quantity of texts. I found moments of brilliance and insight, but long passages of absolutely boring, tedious narrative. For a young man given so much independence in his life, Karl Ove seems very, very naive and lacking in self-confidence.

I would like to hear from others reading this author's work to instruct me as to what I may be missing or how to delve deeper into what he may be trying to illustrate with this work. Maybe a Knausgaard group here in GoodReads? If Book 2 doesn't get any better, I'm tossing it into my pile of overrated contemporary authors. (For a very similar autobiographical type narrative, except with excellent, impassioned writing and characters look into Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan novels.)(less)

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Did anyone else have an intense urge to clean the house when they finished this book?

Nate Lol amazing question.

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Hello, anyone out there want to discuss this book online? I am in the middle of Book 3 - English language version and really like it. I have many questions - why is it so absorbing? The writing style is often flat, like a list of activities, yet fascinating - why is this? Are we voyeurs? Is it about warding of death with a host of detail? It seems very rich and worth discussing.

Dramatika I've just started this book, find it very enjoyable reading. Despite the casual simplicity of the book, the writing is brilliant. It is so great becau…moreI've just started this book, find it very enjoyable reading. Despite the casual simplicity of the book, the writing is brilliant. It is so great because we can relate to the character's mundane problems, everyday activities that the author somehow gives meaning to; that is so great about his writing. Also the (sometimes brutal) honesty by Karl on such heavy subjects as family and angst of child rearing. Many people are ambivalent on family and work constraints, but not many people can voice these opinions or even admit mixed feeling to themselves. (less)

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There's this quote in english version: “Life's a pitch, as the old woman said. She couldn't pronounce her 'b's.” In polish translation word play is quite different. Does anyone know or can tell me how the original one sounds? What is it about in literal translation?

Benjamin Bond West Hello! This question was answered in the r/Knausgaard subreddit. I'll quote what a user there said below:

"In the original text the phrase is «Livet er…moreHello! This question was answered in the r/Knausgaard subreddit. I'll quote what a user there said below:

"In the original text the phrase is «Livet er en gamp sa kjerringa, hun kunne ikke si K».

Translated that would be something along the lines of «life is an old horse (gamp), as the old woman said. She couldn’t pronounce her K’s». The joke being that the old woman wants to say «Livet er en kamp» which means «Life is a struggle»." -u/Europafunk(less)

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