Guardian Newspaper 1000 Novels discussion

Here is the thread for Hunger, by Knut Hamsun.

I will be starting shortly. Who all is joining for this read?

I will be reading this. I have it on my Kindle already but I probably won't start for a week or so.

Ok, perfect. I'll time my start for next week or so!

I will be starting tomorrow - how about you Kaycie?

Leslie wrote: "I will be starting tomorrow - how about you Kaycie?"

I'm actually going to finish my current audio book tomorrow so I can start Tuesday! Perfect timing!

Oh good!

Just started today and I am already halfway through. A haunting, schizophrenic experience thus far!

Hani wrote: "Just started today and I am already halfway through. A haunting, schizophrenic experience thus far!"

I am about 1/3 through -- I was surprised by how quickly it went! I agree that it is somewhat schizophrenic or at least very severe mood swings.

I couldn't believe how (view spoiler)[he would think of writing something, then think about how much he might be paid for it and then act as if he already had that money in his pocket! (hide spoiler)]

I am about 1/2 way through today. I agree with both of you...very haunting and schizophrenic.

I am surprised by both the humor of the narrator (do we ever learn his name?), as well as his upbeat attitude in the face of everything. Yes, he has his moments, but for the most part is quite...unaffected by his poverty and seems considers it a very temporary position. He is often no more affected than I might be if I forgot my wallet one day. I might need to borrow some money, but I know its really okay and tomorrow will be totally fine.

He is also really his own worst enemy - refusing help when it is offered, giving away money he can definitely not afford to give away, etc.

Fun fact, Wikipedia says that this book was written by Knut Hamsun's own experiences as a starving artist when he himself was first trying to "make it". I wonder how much of this is him. Was he this positive? Was he this destitute and hungry? Or did he just have a few bad moments and decided it would make a good book?

Interesting with the autobiographical touch - that gives the book a whole new, scary layer.

Perhaps his attitude reflects delirium and a beginning insanity due to him not eating, that could explain why he seems so unfazed by the situation.

What struck me was the hypersensitivity of the main character who oscillates between extreme effusiveness and extreme rage.

I really like the way he himself seems convinced of one interpretation of the situation, but his observations of the people he interacts with paint a wholly different picture than the one he sees.

What do you guys think?

I'm digging this book:)

Kaycie wrote: "Fun fact, Wikipedia says that this book was written by Knut Hamsun's own experiences as a starving artist when he himself was first trying to "make it". I wonder how much of this is him. Was he this positive? Was he this destitute and hungry? Or did he just have a few bad moments and decided it would make a good book? ..."

I suspect he was destitute. Sounds a lot like another author's experience (which I have just heard about but not read myself) - Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell.

Is this setting, Christiana, a real place? I tried to look it up but didn't find it....

Or is the name changed and it is really Oslo?

Christiania is the old bane for Oslo:)

*old name

Thanks Hani. It felt like a real place - don't know why my search engine didn't come up with Oslo.

I am about 75% done. I don't understand some of his actions - for example (view spoiler)[after giving the woman all the money in his pocket, he hires a cab to take him on a wild goose chase! Why do that! (hide spoiler)]…

And I am a bit frustrated that he asks God for help and (view spoiler)[then the shop boy gives him that change. But the very next day, he decides that taking it is stealing. I can sort of understand that but why not take the money back instead of giving it to the baker woman?? Then he proceeds to be angry at God for not helping him. (hide spoiler)]

I finished last week, but just got time to comment again.

Overall, I was interested by this book, but it never grew to more than a 3 star read for me. I was disturbed by the narrator's decent into starvation, but didn't know much of the time if what he was experiencing was madness due to starvation or his personality. For example, much of what you mention, Leslie, was part of that confusion for me. The narrator was his own worst enemy and I was never sure that it wasn't due to just his own pride and stubbornness and not the "madness of starvation," though I think that is what we were meant to believe.

Also, I wonder if Knut Hamsun acted like this during his starving artist days. Was he as irrational with the little money that he also had as he made his narrator?

Also, Leslie, I believe Kristiania was spelled with a K. Maybe why it didn't pop up.

Kaycie, it sounds like we had the same reaction to the book. I also gave it 3 stars. I liked the writing so maybe I'll try another book by Hamsun some day.

Leslie wrote: "Kaycie, it sounds like we had the same reaction to the book. I also gave it 3 stars. I liked the writing so maybe I'll try another book by Hamsun some day."

I agree and have heard that his writing really shines in "The Growth of the Soil." Id like to try that one some day!