Karl Ove Knausgård's sprawling epic, The School of Night, is a labyrinthine tale of supernatural existentialism that defies easy interpretation. Spanning 500 pages, the latest installment in the Morning Star cycle weaves together threads from previous volumes to present an unsettling account of the occult phenomena surrounding the appearance of a new star in the sky.
At its core, The School of Night revolves around Kristian Hadeland, a charismatic but misanthropic protagonist who narrates his own story with unflinching candor. From his early days as a photography student in mid-1980s London to his subsequent retreat into himself after a family crisis, Kristian's life is marked by an air of precarity and desperation.
As the narrative unfolds, Knausgård masterfully conjures an atmosphere of creeping entropy, where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur. A chance encounter with a homeless man sets Kristian on a path towards transformation, but it is his relationship with Hans, a Dutch artist into artificial intelligence, that proves pivotal to the story.
Through the Faustus subplot, Knausgård posits a philosophical framework for understanding the world of The School of Night. When Mephistopheles responds to Marlowe's question about being out of hell by stating "this is hell, nor am I out of it," it succinctly encapsulates the bleak universe that Knausgård has created.
However, as readers delve deeper into the narrative, they are confronted with inconsistencies and anachronisms that challenge their understanding of the story. The author's reluctance to edit or plan his work raises questions about the scope and coherence of the epic, leaving some readers to ponder whether the next two volumes will provide a clearer picture of the saga's purpose.
The School of Night is not an easy read, with Knausgård's prose often described as erratic and incoherent. Devotees of his work may find themselves invested in the story despite its many challenges, but for others, the 500-page journey into Kristian's world may prove overwhelming.
Ultimately, The School of Night is a testament to Knausgård's boundless ambition and his willingness to push the boundaries of literary convention. While it may not deliver on its promise in every aspect, this sprawling epic remains an object of fascination for readers willing to brave its complexities.
At its core, The School of Night revolves around Kristian Hadeland, a charismatic but misanthropic protagonist who narrates his own story with unflinching candor. From his early days as a photography student in mid-1980s London to his subsequent retreat into himself after a family crisis, Kristian's life is marked by an air of precarity and desperation.
As the narrative unfolds, Knausgård masterfully conjures an atmosphere of creeping entropy, where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur. A chance encounter with a homeless man sets Kristian on a path towards transformation, but it is his relationship with Hans, a Dutch artist into artificial intelligence, that proves pivotal to the story.
Through the Faustus subplot, Knausgård posits a philosophical framework for understanding the world of The School of Night. When Mephistopheles responds to Marlowe's question about being out of hell by stating "this is hell, nor am I out of it," it succinctly encapsulates the bleak universe that Knausgård has created.
However, as readers delve deeper into the narrative, they are confronted with inconsistencies and anachronisms that challenge their understanding of the story. The author's reluctance to edit or plan his work raises questions about the scope and coherence of the epic, leaving some readers to ponder whether the next two volumes will provide a clearer picture of the saga's purpose.
The School of Night is not an easy read, with Knausgård's prose often described as erratic and incoherent. Devotees of his work may find themselves invested in the story despite its many challenges, but for others, the 500-page journey into Kristian's world may prove overwhelming.
Ultimately, The School of Night is a testament to Knausgård's boundless ambition and his willingness to push the boundaries of literary convention. While it may not deliver on its promise in every aspect, this sprawling epic remains an object of fascination for readers willing to brave its complexities.
... i mean dont get me wrong, knausgård's a genius and all but 500 pages is just too much sometimes you feel like youre wading through a swamp trying to find the meaning 
and yeah, inconsistencies are a thing but thats part of the charm, right? 
maybe its just me but i think the author shouldve edited himself more lol... that being said, its still super interesting to see how knausgård explores them existential themes and his writing style is definitely unique 
I love Karl Ove Knausgård as much as the next guy, but this one's a whole different level of commitment. I'm all about a good, sprawling narrative, but at some point, even I'd have to say "enough is enough!" 
The inconsistencies and anachronisms are gonna drive me crazy! 
. I mean, I'm all about experimental literature, but even me was like "wait, what's going on here?!" 
the author just leaves it all kinda messy so idk if its worth reading tbh but i guess some ppl might be into that sorta vibe 
WHEN YOU GET TO THE END OF IT AND YOU'RE JUST SITTING THERE LIKE " Wait, what just happened?!" 
I've been hearing that the story is really complex and hard to follow, which makes me even more hesitant to dive in. I'm not sure if it's worth the investment of time and mental energy 
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. The School of Night feels like it's exploring some pretty deep questions about human nature and our place in the universe 
. And yeah, some parts of it can feel super confusing or even frustrating 
. It's clear that he's putting his heart and soul into this work, and that's something to be admired 
. Maybe it's not for everyone, but for those of us who are willing to take on the challenge, The School of Night is definitely a thought-provoking and unforgettable read 
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. But I'm also convinced that it's worth the effort, because on the other side of all those complications is this really rich and thought-provoking world that he's created 
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. And yeah, there are some major inconsistencies and anachronisms that'll have you questioning everything 
. What's wild about this book is how much it explores existential themes without being too preachy or heavy-handed 
. Don't get me wrong, some parts can be super frustrating (500 pages can be a lot to take in!), but trust me when I say that the journey is worth it 
i mean kristian's character is so complex and deep it's like he's speaking directly to ur soul 
but at the same time there are these inconsistencies and anachronisms that make u go like wut is gonna happen next? 
. And if you're a fan of his work, you'll likely find yourself invested in The School of Night despite its challenges 
!