Backlisted The Ice Palace by Tarjei Vesaas
Nov 29, 2022
Max Porter, a novelist known for his evocative storytelling, joins fellow Norwegian writer Karl Ove Knausgård to explore Tarjei Vesaas's literary gems, The Ice Palace and The Birds. They delve into Vesaas's unique narrative style and the spiritual significance woven through his prose. Karl shares insights on the nuances of the Norwegian language, while Max recounts his transformative experience of discovering Vesaas. Together, they unpack the intricate themes of childhood and nature, urging listeners to appreciate this underrecognized literary master.
01:04:20
Dylan's Book Comes With Performance
- Andy Miller shares his enjoyment of Bob Dylan's The Philosophy of Modern Song and reads a passage on Elvis Costello.
- He highlights Dylan's backhanded compliments and the audiobook's mix of Dylan and celebrity readers like Helen Mirren.
A Publisher Sparked A Revelation
- Max Porter describes discovering Vesaas via Peter Owen's catalogue and reading The Ice Palace as an almost spiritual revelation.
- He credits Peter Owen editions for introducing him to transformative translated literature.
Outsiders Reveal Universal Moral Depths
- Vesaas locates deep moral and spiritual questions in marginal figures like children and outsiders to reveal universal conflicts.
- This approach lets the novels probe forgiveness, taboo and inner life with rare directness and honesty.
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Intro
00:00 • 3min
Why The Ice Palace and The Birds Matter
03:11 • 1min
Andy on Bob Dylan's New Book
04:21 • 8min
John Recommends Emergency
12:38 • 5min
Overview: The Ice Palace Plot
17:27 • 2min
Karl Ove on Discovering Vesaas
19:32 • 1min
Max Porter's First Encounters with Vesaas
20:48 • 2min
Vesaas's Place in Norwegian Letters
22:40 • 47sec
The Spiritual Element in Vesaas
23:27 • 5min
How Vesaas Writes in Norwegian
28:50 • 2min
Reading: Ice Palace Extract
30:51 • 4min
Reaction to the Translation
35:16 • 1min
Vesaas as Outsider and Writer
36:37 • 2min
Comparisons: Laxness and Modernists
38:32 • 3min
The Mirror Scene's Importance
41:24 • 4min
Ambiguity, Inner Worlds, and Communication
45:09 • 4min
Vesaas's Broader Oeuvre
48:40 • 2min
Personal Affection and Humility
50:11 • 4min
Reading in Norwegian: Ice Palace Opening
54:00 • 2min
Final Thoughts on Vesaas's Power
56:30 • 23sec
Outro
56:53 • 5min
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The Ice Palace or Is-slottet by Tarjei Vesaas is a 20th century classic by one of Norway’s greatest modern writers. First published by Gyldendal in 1963, it went on to win the Nordic Council Literary Prize in 1964. In 1966, it was published in Elizabeth Rokkan’s English translation by Peter Owen who described it as the best novel he ever published. To discuss it we’re joined by friend of the show Max Porter – who’s surprised it isn’t the most famous book in the world – and by another great Norwegian, Karl Ove Knaussgård, who agrees but who also think’s Vessas’s The Birds ( or Fuglane), published six years earlier, might be even better. We discuss both books in their English translations (recently released as Penguin Modern Classics) and Karl Ove treats us to a reading from the beginning of The Ice Palace in Norwegian. This episode also features Andy sharing his pleasure and deep amusement at Bob Dylan’s latest book – The Philosophy of Modern Song (Simon & Schuster) while John is moved by Emergency, Daisy Hildyard’s darkly beautiful novel about a rural Northern childhood overshadowed by presentiments of the coming climate disaster (Fitzcarraldo Editions).
Timings: (may differ due to variable advert length)
4:18 - The Philosophy of Modern Song by Bob Dylan
12:35 - Emergency by Daisy Hildyard
17:16 - The Ice Palace by Tarjei Vesaas
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