In his sprawling epic "The School of Night", Karl Ove Knausgård has woven a tapestry of existential dread, mysticism, and philosophical inquiry. This latest installment in the Morning Star cycle is an unsettling account of the occult phenomena that attend the appearance in the sky of a bright new star. As Kristian Hadeland, the enigmatic protagonist, embarks on a journey from near ruin to staggering glory, he grapples with his own demons and the mysteries of the universe.
Through a complex web of relationships, including his time as a photography student in mid-1980s London, Kristian's interactions with an enigmatic Dutch artist, Hans, and a hostile sex worker, Vivian, form the backbone of this narrative. As he cycles through the rain-soaked streets of London, Kristian's life is marked by a series of events that seem to be orchestrated by forces beyond his control.
One of the most striking aspects of "The School of Night" is its use of Marlowe's Doctor Faustus as an interpretive lens for the reader. Knausgård's assertion that he barely plans or edits his work may unsettle readers, but it is this very lack of precision that lends the saga its sense of creeping entropy and uncertainty.
Throughout the book, Knausgård explores themes of death, materialism, and the supernatural, raising questions about the nature of reality and the human condition. His protagonist's journey from obscurity to fame is marked by a series of strange encounters and events that seem to be connected to an otherworldly force.
While some readers may find Knausgård's prose erratic or incoherent at times, others will be drawn into the world of The Morning Star cycle, tracing connections between seemingly disparate elements. For those willing to invest the time and effort, "The School of Night" offers a fascinating object of study, full of subtle allusions and philosophical insights.
Ultimately, Knausgård's ability to deliver on the promise of this sprawling epic is far from certain. Will the mystery be indefinitely sustained, or will it dissipate under the weight of its own complexity? For those with the stomach, patience, and faith to keep going, "The School of Night" remains an object of fascination, a work of millenarian fiction that lingers long after the final page has been turned.
Through a complex web of relationships, including his time as a photography student in mid-1980s London, Kristian's interactions with an enigmatic Dutch artist, Hans, and a hostile sex worker, Vivian, form the backbone of this narrative. As he cycles through the rain-soaked streets of London, Kristian's life is marked by a series of events that seem to be orchestrated by forces beyond his control.
One of the most striking aspects of "The School of Night" is its use of Marlowe's Doctor Faustus as an interpretive lens for the reader. Knausgård's assertion that he barely plans or edits his work may unsettle readers, but it is this very lack of precision that lends the saga its sense of creeping entropy and uncertainty.
Throughout the book, Knausgård explores themes of death, materialism, and the supernatural, raising questions about the nature of reality and the human condition. His protagonist's journey from obscurity to fame is marked by a series of strange encounters and events that seem to be connected to an otherworldly force.
While some readers may find Knausgård's prose erratic or incoherent at times, others will be drawn into the world of The Morning Star cycle, tracing connections between seemingly disparate elements. For those willing to invest the time and effort, "The School of Night" offers a fascinating object of study, full of subtle allusions and philosophical insights.
Ultimately, Knausgård's ability to deliver on the promise of this sprawling epic is far from certain. Will the mystery be indefinitely sustained, or will it dissipate under the weight of its own complexity? For those with the stomach, patience, and faith to keep going, "The School of Night" remains an object of fascination, a work of millenarian fiction that lingers long after the final page has been turned.
! I mean, have you seen how he weaves together existential dread and mysticism? It's like he's trying to show us that there's more to life than just our everyday problems 
. And the way he uses Marlowe's Doctor Faustus as a lens for the reader is just genius! 
I love how he leaves so much room for interpretation, it's like we're all in on some secret together 
. Plus, his writing style may be erratic at times, but that's what makes it so captivating - it's like he's speaking directly to our souls 
. If you're up for the challenge, I say go for it! 
. And don't even get me started on the writing style - all over the place, man 
. I'm trying to follow this story, but it's like he's intentionally making it hard for me to keep up 
. Can't a guy just write a straightforward novel without having to decipher hidden meanings? 
set a timer for 25 minutes and focus on one chapter before taking a 5-minute break - trust me, it'll make devouring his novels way more manageable 
by karl ove knausgård and i'm still reeling from the experience 
it's like, this book is a total mind trip 
it adds this whole layer of complexity to the story that's just so intriguing 
i also appreciate how he barely plans or edits his work 
which makes the book feel all raw and unpolished, like a work in progress 
it's like, exploring these deeper themes of death, materialism, and the supernatural 
in a way that's both thought-provoking and deeply unsettling 
but hey, that's what makes it so fascinating 
. The way he weaves together these complex relationships and mysteries reminds me of the current debate on global interconnectedness vs. national sovereignty 
. Is it too much for an artist to claim they barely plan or edit their work? Sounds like a cry for help from our politicians who always promise more than they deliver 
. Can we afford to wait for the "mystery" to dissipate under its own complexity when the real question is: what are we doing with our planet? 
his protagonist's journey from obscurity to fame is wild, but what really gets me is how he weaves together all these different themes of death materialism and the supernatural...like, what even is reality anymore? 
. I want more substance, more context. Can't just leave us hanging like this. Where's the proof? 
. But I gotta say, I'm still on the fence about his editing style - it's like he's intentionally leaving breadcrumbs for us to piece together 
. Either way, if you're willing to invest the time, it's an epic journey through the human condition that'll keep you guessing till the very end 
. I mean, who needs a clear plot when you've got complex web of relationships, cryptic symbolism, and themes that'll leave you questioning reality? 
, but either way, it works.
), but for those willing to put in the effort, this book is like a puzzle that'll keep you up all night trying to piece it together 
. It's definitely not for everyone, but if you're in the mood for something thought-provoking and atmospheric, then "The School of Night" is worth checking out 
.
. The way he weaves together all these threads of Kristian's life is like a puzzle, and you can't help but keep trying to figure out how they fit together 
. I love how he draws inspiration from Marlowe's Doctor Faustus - it's like he's tapping into this ancient knowledge that's beyond our understanding 
️ I just finished reading this latest installment in Karl Ove Knausgård's Morning Star cycle and I'm still trying to wrap my head around it 
. The way he weaves together existential dread, mysticism, and philosophical inquiry is like a wild ride that leaves you questioning everything 
. I love how the protagonist's journey from obscurity to fame is marked by these strange encounters with an otherworldly force 
. The writing style might be a bit erratic for some, but I think that's part of its charm 
.