Hunger by Knut Hamsun

[Zara's Retreat]

This thread is to discuss Knut Hamsun's book, Hunger.


***Please remember to mark spoilers.***

Participants:
Winter, Julie, Gabriella, Aurora

[Zara's Retreat]

Suggested break down of reading so that you can check in and let us know how you're going. The following breakdown is purely a suggestion and is therefore not set in stone.

Rather than putting dates for each section I've done it so that it takes into account that not everybody will necessarily have the book at the same time.

Week 1: 33 pages
Week 2: 33 pages
Week 3: 34 pages
Week 4: 34 pages

[Winter, Group Reads]

Starting this one this week :)

[Gabriella]

Just started =)

[Winter, Group Reads]

Plans changed a bit, but I can start it tomorrow:)

[Winter, Group Reads]

Enjoying it a lot more than the first time (only read half then, it was in college - or our Norwegian equivalent). Understanding more, so many emotions!

[Gabriella]

Winter wrote: "Enjoying it a lot more than the first time (only read half then, it was in college - or our Norwegian equivalent). Understanding more, so many emotions!"

Winter, Hunger has a very poetic language or it's my translation that's overly poetic?

[Winter, Group Reads]

I have thought about it today Gabriella. It's seldom how you here it described here. But then again he is the author all Norwegians love to talk of without really having read him without history in mind.

But after reading him now and thinking of Victoria, a long time favorite, I think it is a little bit poetic. But probably made stronger in English because it is a much more poetic language than Norwegian.

What do you think so far?

[Gabriella]

It's a great book, actually. I just get a little bit tired because of the poetic language, so I can only read a couple pages before having to stop. I guess that's made even stronger because I got a Portuguese edition, translated by my favorite poet, Carlos Drummond de Andrade. So, it's a very slow reading, but I'm enjoying it.

[Winter, Group Reads]

Gabriella wrote: "It's a great book, actually. I just get a little bit tired because of the poetic language, so I can only read a couple pages before having to stop. I guess that's made even stronger because I got a..."

Probably yes. Portuguese is probably a more poetic language too although I don't know it. It isn't a fast read for me too, but I'm enjoying it a lot. (view spoiler)[I haven't had to go hungry in that way ever, but I can still feel how he gets weaker and I both anger and get proud of how he strive to keep his dignity (hide spoiler)] (it's not really a spoiler if you have started it ;) )

[Winter, Group Reads]

Whoops forgot to update. I am finished. Enjoyed it a lot! I loved how drawn I was and surprised at how much it moved my emotions as he made his choices.

[Gabriella]

I wish I could have finished it. I liked it, but I finished the first part and it was enough for me. I'm going to leave it for some time, then I'll try again from where I stopped.

[Winter, Group Reads]

Gabriella wrote: "I wish I could have finished it. I liked it, but I finished the first part and it was enough for me. I'm going to leave it for some time, then I'll try again from where I stopped."

I can see it beeing a tough read too. It was for me the first time. It's probably not for every reader and I think timing is important too. I did not like it at all the first time I tried it..

[Gabriella]

Winter wrote: "Gabriella wrote: "I wish I could have finished it. I liked it, but I finished the first part and it was enough for me. I'm going to leave it for some time, then I'll try again from where I stopped...."

Yeah, it's not a hard reading, however, timing is really important for me. I can spend years without touching a book, but I always come back when the time seems right. And it's not the time to finish Hunger. I could do it by now, but I wouldn't enjoy it. Until it's time to come back, reading Tolstoy.

[Winter, Group Reads]

Gabriella wrote: "Winter wrote: "Gabriella wrote: "I wish I could have finished it. I liked it, but I finished the first part and it was enough for me. I'm going to leave it for some time, then I'll try again from w..."

I need correct timing too, maybe all readers do :)