The Other Name

Septology I-II (Septology, Book 1)

By: Jon Fosse, Damion Searls - translator

Narrated by: Kyle Snyder

The Other Name follows the lives of two men living close to each other on the west coast of Norway. The year is coming to a close and Asle, an aging painter and widower, is reminiscing about his life. He lives alone, his only friends being his neighbor, Åsleik, a bachelor and traditional Norwegian fisherman-farmer, and Beyer, a gallerist who lives in Bjørgvin, a couple hours drive south of Dylgja, where he lives. There, in Bjørgvin, lives another Asle, also a painter. He and the narrator are doppelgangers—two versions of the same person, two versions of the same life.

Written in hypnotic prose that shifts between the first and third person, The Other Name calls into question concrete notions around subjectivity and the self. What makes us who we are? And why do we lead one life and not another? Through flashbacks, Fosse deftly explores the convergences and divergences in the lives of both Asles, slowly building towards a decisive encounter between them both. A writer at the zenith of his career, with The Other Name, the first two volumes in his Septology, Fosse presents us with an indelible and poignant exploration of the human condition that will endure as his masterpiece.

©2019 Jon Fosse; Translation copyright 2019 by Damion Searls (P)2023 Tantor

Can't wait to hear the next ones

One straight stream of consciousness on a Samuel Beckett style, very good book. it's worth it

No worth

In my opinion this book does not deserve Nobel prize. During listening the whole book I kept the feeling that a child was writing the text, not adult. I completed it toll the end only beacuse of curiosity to realize why it got Nobel prize. Now I understand that general aasessment should not lead your literature choice. There are miscellaneous wonderful authors but this one with this awful book received the prize. Do not loose your time even. I would summarize that this book about a crazy artist and alcohol addicted seaman.