A Norwegian´s Struggle - and the reaction...

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A Norwegian writer has published a book called "My Struggle" which, apart from having an obvious controversial title (a reminder of "My Struggle"  by Hitler), is controversial  because of his vivid account of real-life family issues.  Karl Ove Kanusgård, has written 3,600 pages in several volumes with one topic: what it is like to be him.

The book is selling so well in Norway that an equivalent of one copy has been bought by every 10th person. Now the book has made it to the US as discussed in ths article in the New York Times.

Nothing is off limits for him: his father´s death, mother trouble, marriages falling apart, his mixed feelings about fatherhood.  Some people might judge (we are such judgemental society) that this is too unfair and hurtful to the loved ones. But at the same time I´d say it is a brave act: how many sons, husbands and fathers would go on admitting that their family life is not that great? Why is it so uncomfortable for others to hear that?  

I suppose the controversy is due to Kanusgård´s choice to go public in discussing his life and family affairs rather the traditional journal many of us keep under the bed.

I am new to the Norwegian psyche. What I learned in the New York Times article is that his capital sin is to have violated an unwritten but fundamental social norms in this country: family revelations should not be discussed in public.  (Perhaps that is why he now lives in Sweden!)

But the book is being read that means his effort was not in vain. Ultimately the point is writing is to be read, isn´t it?  Maybe his story touched a nerve. It would be interesting to know how men, in particular, are reacting to his unapologetic choice (and struggle, hence the title) to getting naked in front of millions of strangers.

Here is a review in The Guardian. In the UK, the title was changed to "A Death in the Family" instead.