The Ice Palace by Tarjei Vesaas
The Ice Palace or Is-slottet by Tarjei Vesaas is a 20th century classic by one of Norway\u2019s 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\u2019s English translation by Peter Owen who described it as the best novel he ever published. To discuss it we\u2019re joined by friend of the show Max Porter \u2013 who\u2019s surprised it isn\u2019t the most famous book in the world \u2013 and by another great Norwegian, Karl Ove Knaussg\xe5rd, who agrees but who also think\u2019s Vessas\u2019s 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\u2019s latest book \u2013 The Philosophy of Modern Song (Simon & Schuster) while John is moved by Emergency, Daisy Hildyard\u2019s darkly beautiful novel about a rural Northern childhood overshadowed by presentiments of the coming climate disaster (Fitzcarraldo Editions). \nTimings: (may differ due to variable advert length) \n4:18 - The Philosophy of Modern Song by Bob Dylan \n12:35 - Emergency by Daisy Hildyard \n17:16 - The Ice Palace by Tarjei Vesaas \n* To purchase any of the books mentioned in this episode please visit our bookshop at https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/backlisted where all profits help to sustain this podcast and UK independent bookshops. * For information about everything mentioned in this episode visit www.backlisted.fm * If you'd like to support the show, receive the show early and get extra bonus fortnightly episodes, become a Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/backlisted\n Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices