The Moon over the Gate

The award-winning author of short stories and novels, Per Petterson, is now publishing his first collection of essays THE MOON OVER THE GATE. The essays focus on reading literature, becoming an author, and the strive to continue being an author. Petterson shares his own, personal experiences with literature, from when he was a young boy and discovered Simone de Beauvoir by chance on a bookshelf in the library, to the present. He describes what it is like to meet an author you really admire, and what it is like to travel a long way to visit an author who is already dead. With honesty and enthusiasm, Per Petterson writes about some of his favourite authors: Ernest Hemingway, Louis-Ferdinand Cöline, Karen Blixen, Grace Paley, John Fante, Raymond Carver, Kjell Askildsen, Aksel Sandemose, Paul Bowles and others.

Praise for THE MOON OVER THE GATE:

“Not a single dry academic word has been allowed to sneak into the infectious introductions to the writers who have contributed to shape Per Petterson as a reader, man and writer. Even in those cases where I read with the greatest feeling of recognition, Petterson writes with so wise observations and unashamed admissions that it makes me want to run back to the book shelf to read Hemingway, Raymond Carver, John Fante, Jack London, Blixen and Céline again.”
(Politiken, Denmark)

"One almost enters a euphoric state when taking part in [Petterson's]reading experiences. He has an ability to talk about literature with infectious energy, which makes you want to check out the temptations hiding in your local library (...) Per Petterson sheds light on Hemingway, Blixen, Céline and Jack London and many others in his new book. No one can possibly do it better (...) The Nobel Prize in Literature has to be waiting for him in the future"
(Berlingske Tidende, Denmark)

“[Petterson’s] enthusiasm is infectious … Those who meet this book early in life, can’t avoid being pulled towards the world of books and possibly have their life changed … Read and be enlightened”
(Kristeligt Dagblad, Denmark)

”… this small, good volume of reading experiences … also constitute a self portrait. They are consciously unacademic, but personal invitations into the craftsman’s workshop, where books are discovered as direct appeals and necessary ingredients in a life feeling and self orientation … cleverly structured.”
(Information, Denmark)

"a both moving and gifted study of the complicated art of storytelling"
(Ekstrabladet, Denmark

"one of the greatest [authorships] of our time (...) a great reader, a great author"
(Weekendavisen, Denmark)

"One is hopelessly indebted to this author for the way in which he enriches his reader's world"
(Kommunist, Denmark)

"When reading Per Petterson's short collection of essays one is filled by the same kind of reverence as the author himself displays towards his own literary heroes. You get this feeling that you are lucky, even chosen, to be present where a book such as this is allowed to speak. Writing texts like these seems like the most natural thing in the world to Petterson. He draws from his own experiences as a reader, so generously, sincerely and infectious, that you feel like running straight to a library and get lost among the shelves."
(Gentofte Bibliotekerne, Denmark)

"Reading literature has shaped Per Petterson both as an author and as an individual; in The Moon over the Gate the Norwegian gives something back. The book is a pure joy to read and offers the reader a deeper understanding of his literary work"
(litteratursiden.dk)

“The author balances nicely between the personal and the literary … In this book Petterson demonstrates why it is so infinitely important that writers write about literature as well. Few can persuade me like Petterson to drop everything and read An African Farm by Karen Blixen, not to mention to snatch my wife’s copy of Simone de Beauvoir … The Moon over the Gate tells us what we should read for the next five years. Not by lecturing. Not because we must, but because we want to.”
(NRK Kulturnytt)

“For those of you who can’t get enough of Petterson’s prose, there is only one thing to say about this book: Read it! In one sitting or in many shorter, as one intimate and long or many small conversations about literature, reading and life.”
(Aftenposten)

First published: 2004, Forlaget Oktober
Per Petterson: Biography and bibliography

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