Anders Monsen

Lost worlds and ports of call

Page 7 of 90

Guadalupe Peak Hike

July 13, 2025 /

On the morning of July 4, I headed west from San Antonio with my 19-year old son. We drove along Interstate 10 toward Fort Stockton. This was a four hour drive from San Antonio. Once in Fort Stockton we’d turn northward, with Carlsbad, New Mexico as the goal for the day. Leaving Texas, even from somewhere in the middle, does take an entire day of driving.

Along the way we passed Kerrville, and here we encountered pounding rain. At that time we had no idea of the tragedy unfolding along the Guadalupe River between Hunt and Comfort. I’ve driven along that river countless times since 1989. Both my kids have camped near Ingram, which is between Hunt and Kerrville. There are numerous low water crossings there, and I have only seen the Guadalupe River as a quiet stream while along the road next to the river. Only later would we learn the scope of the flooding, and all the lost lives, including dozens of young girls from Camp Mystic. A couple of hours after we passed Kerrville, in Ozona, we switched drivers. Here I checked the news, and saw the unimaginable headlines: young campers missing, vacationers missing, residents missing. Massive flooding beyond the 100 year event. The news was almost too horrible to imagine. Since then I’ve learned that families in my neighborhood have been affected, have lost people.

We took a break in Fort Stockton for lunch, then headed up the slow road northward, somewhat subdued. Speed limits in New Mexico are different from those in Texas, so it took time to get to Carlsbad. We arrived at our hotel just past 4pm, checked in, and rested. When we went out for dinner, we thought we’d have many options. However, as it was July 4th, most places were closed. After a long wait at one of the few open restaurants, we ate our late dinner.

The next morning we were up early and drove the hour south to Guadalupe Peak National Park. We arrived 15 minutes before the park offices opened, and were first in line outside their doors. Two surly park employees sat behind the counter. I paid the entrance fee, but as the person helping me said nothing; I matched her, asking only about a park pass. I overheard the other employee advising someone to carry lots of water, mentioning multiple rescues as if it was an imposition. Meanwhile, the person who helped us said nothing. Either we looked like we knew what we were doing, or she didn’t care. Back at the car, we drove to the trailhead, grabbed our gear, and headed to the trailhead. Then again, we had prepared for the environment, brought lots of water, and had serious hiking experience. I guess we did know what we were doing.

There are many trails in Guadalupe Peak National Park. Our goal today was the summit, at 8,751 feet above sea level, and about 3,000 in elevation gain. Supposedly everything’s bigger in Texas, though Colorado and California have those altitudes beat by at least 6,000 feet in elevation, and Colorado has dozens of peaks over 14,000 in elevation, easily beating Texas.

A sign inside the park office warned people that the first two miles were the hardest. They were off by around half a mile. We took our time going up those two and half miles, stopping at regular intervals for water breaks. Even after two miles the views were breathtaking. Along the trail, we grumbled as we headed upward, as it had been some years since our last mountain hikes.

After those first two hard miles, the trail evened out slightly. The terrain changed, and we saw trees and meadows. With around a mile and half to go, there’s a side trail toward a wilderness camping area. We took that side trail, as I wanted to check out that site; years ago I’d thought about an overnight hike here, but went with Big Bend instead. At the camping site we took a short break, then returned to the main trail. We thought we saw the peak from that vantage point, but it was still a thousand feet of gain from there. The trail then crossed a bridge, which seemed out of place on such a trail. This bridge spanned a section where a rockslide appeared to have broken the path. Shortly after this, the last half mile turned into a scramble uphill. This was one of two places where signs warned people to dismount and lead pack animals, which confounded me. How could any mules or horses handle the trail, I thought? Still, it happens.

At last we reached the peak, exhausted and hungry. Since it was the peak of Summer (no pun intended), it was fairly warm throughout the hike. The peak was noticeably cooler, though still exposed. We found a shaded area, where we ate some food and rested. There we saw a snake a few feet from where we sat, though we didn’t think it was venomous. It was exactly noon when we reached the top, and several people sat on rocks around the peak. Some of them took selfies and other photos, posing as if they were models. Thankfully there was no wind or clouds. The Guadalupe Peak area is known for strong winds in the Fall through Winter, and sometimes there’s flooding.

It had taken us three hours to reach the top, though this included many breaks for water. Going down took only two hours, even with occasional breaks. The park notice stated that a round trip usually takes 6-8 hours. Our total moving time was just over three hours, but then we were consistently taking breaks to drink water, given the heat, dry air, and elevation.

Guadalupe Peak is a popular hike. We met several hikers on our the way up. Maybe they had camped and started earlier than us. We also saw a couple of hikers heading up as we descended. Some hikers didn’t seem prepared for the terrain or weather; people in sandals, not carrying any water, seemed out of place. When we’d checked in at the office, I overheard one of the rangers saying that on average they had to rescue people three times a week. Although few people have died on this mountain, it’s a fairly easy trail. I’d rate it around 4 out 10, but then I’ve hiked in many places. We met some people who probably thought it closer to 8 out 10, but also saw young children on the trail. Weather is critical, so if you plan to hike this trail, be aware of winds and temperatures.

I’ve now hiked both Big Bend National Park and Guadalupe Peak National Park, both in far West Texas. This is desert country, although there’s elevation and mountains mixed into the landscape. I do need to see more of East Texas, but from what I know of that area there are swamps, alligators, and snakes there, so maybe I’ll pass. I’d like to hike some of the other trails in Guadalupe Peak National Park, but some of them require camping and better planning, or better timing. And, it’s a hell of a long drive to get there from here. If you’re ever in that area, it’s well worth a visit. Planning’s important, though. Don’t get caught without water. Wear proper shoes. Start early. Pay attention to wind and temperature. Check the weather forecast.

Book added: Pamela Sargent

July 11, 2025 /

I’m usually more focused on specific authors (aside from a few exceptions, i.e. all books by Golden Gryphon Press, two Pulphouse Publishing series, and an attempt to find all Dark Harvest books, the last effort which is as yet unrealized), rather than anthologies or series. When Centipede Press announced a special price for the latest book in their series, Masters of Science Fiction, by Pamela Sargent, I hesitated—but only for one day.

This series has been around for a few years, and I don’t have any of the previous Masters of Science Fiction titles. Still, I’ve read (and enjoyed) some of Sargent’s stories in her Golden Gryphon collection, Thumbprints, and the price was attractive enough not to pass up. Also, Centipede Press to me, means Quality with a capital Q.

With this copy I now have 17 books from Centipede Press. This is a fraction of their output, I know, but so it goes. Based on their list of forthcoming books, I hope to add a few more, if the opportunity presents itself. Until 2017 I only owned one Centipede Press book (Michael Shea’s The Autopsy and Other Tales, published and bought way back in 2008—a much treasured volume that now fetches many times more online than I paid for it back in 2008). From 2017 through 2021 I only bought books from them by a single author (Fritz Leiber). Onlyl recently did I branch out and buy some of their other books, and then just one in their long-running series of “weird fiction” and science fiction. I kick myself these days regarding the decision to ignore their other publications.

All the prior books in this series of Masters in Science Fiction are long out of print. If you search online for copies, the prices escalate into the hundreds and beyond. The further you go back in terms of the publication date, the higher the price. In order words, I probably won’t be collecting any of the earlier books in the series. They do have a Howard Waldrop book scheduled, and despite having all of Waldrop’s books, that’s one that will sell out quickly.

My copy is #350 of 500 signed and numbered copies. It’s signed by Sargent, artists Bob Eggleton, and Pat Cadigan, who wrote the introduction. Clocking in at 846 pages, and collecting 31 stories spanning her career, this is an impressive book. The wrap-around dust-jacket painting by Eggleton is amazing, as the the production quality of the book. Also, for each story, Sargent has written a short afterword. If I have any quibble about this book in terms of the title, it’s the lack of a proper bibliography. It will take some time to go through all 31 stories, but these are moments to savor.

Books added: Two more Lansdales

June 29, 2025 /

Joe R. Lansdale has written a vast number of books. Subterranean Press has published a fair number of those books. Recently I picked up just my fourth and fifth copies of Lansdale books published by Sub Press—a minuscule number of those books, for sure. The reasons? First: Most of these were published many years ago, and now fetch prices well above the initial listed price. Second: the initial listed prices tended to start around $40, even for copies available in the thousands, vs. hundreds, in terms of “limited editions.” Therefore, I went with the more mass-market publishers when it came to Lansdale’s books. But, if I’m lucky enough to find any within my narrow price range, then why not?

For a Few Stories More, Volume 4 in the Lost Lansdale series, Subterranean Press, 2002.

Initially listed at $40, I paid $22 for this book. Used. Online. From a dealer. Apologies to Mr. Lansdale, who didn’t get a penny from me on this one; I have bought many of your books retail, however, but sometimes there are books offered at prices beyond what I can pay. And, I came late to the party on this one, 23 years late, to be exact.

For a Few Stories More, is the fourth (and last) in a series of “Lost Lansdale” books and short stories. So far I’ve only read the introduction, which is a good one. After I got this book, I looked for books one through three, but those are listed at well beyond what I paid for this one, so I’ll stick with this book for now. My copy is #373 of 1000 signed and numbered copies. I plan on reading these stories shortly. Lansdale’s short fiction packs a punch, and I expect that even his early stories have some weight behind them.

Next up, a book that kept showing up everywhere when I was scrolling through online catalogs and offerings. This copy popped up at a surprisingly low price, so I went for it.

Jane Goes North, Subterranean Press, 2020

Jane Goes North is an amusing road trip of a book. Also originally listed at $40, I was able to get this one for $20. My copy is #88 of 2000 signed and numbered copies. The protagonist, Jane, lives in East Texas. She’s just been fired from a low-paying job, and gets invited to a sister’s wedding just outside Boston. Determined to make it to the wedding despite being almost broke, she teams up with a stranger, Henrietta aka Henry, an anti-social woman with a wandering eye. Henry has a working car, and Jane is willing to drive.

Along the way they meet up with a collection of bizarre people, including a pair of dollar store thieves, some back-woods slavers, and a country musician who now makes her living playing in bars along the east coast, while fighting off sexism and owners reluctant to pay her anything. In typical Lansdale fashion, characters over-share information, but Jane preservers. She has grit, determination, and I ended up rooting for her despite all her dubious decisions. The ending surprised me somewhat, and perhaps there’s a sequel in there somewhere.

Books added: a pair of early Repairman Jack novels

June 7, 2025 /

The Early RJ trilogy, consisting of Secret Histories, Secret Circles, and Secret Vengeance, were books I bought in the Tor hard cover editions a year or two after the last book in the series appeared—the books were published between 2008 and 2011. After some research, I see that I bought my copies some time in 2012. For some reason, after the first book in the series, Tor’s marketing department changed the cover designs for the next two books; while the latter two bear similar designs, these differ wildly from the first one.

I didn’t plan to buy the limited editions of these books. These were published by Gauntlet Press, which usually price their FPW books at $60. Then again, I’d recently bought the other RJ trilogy covering his first years in New York in their limited editions, even though I had the Tor books, and the same for the ICE-trilogy (how irony, given the current ICE acronym as a government agency).

Still, when I came across the first in the series listed online for far less then $60, I pulled the trigger and bought it. My copy of Gauntlet Press’s edition of Secret Histories is signed and numbered as #9 of the 500 limited copies. This book came with a slipcase, which I thought was only meant for the lettered editions.

A few months later, I saw a copy of the second book, Secret Circles, listed for around the same price, and went ahead and bought it as well. This copy is numbered 202 of 500 copies, but didn’t come with a slipcase. At least Gauntlet Press didn’t go all wonky again and change the numbers in the editions, as they’ve done with other series—good luck collecting all books if they are in editions of 500, 450, some random number, vis-a-vis the “City” trilogy, or even the Nocturnia trilogy.

The covers in the Gauntlet editions are far better than the Tor editions, that’s for sure. The spines are almost identical in design, thought the covers use different fonts and placements of the subtitles and Wilson’s name. “Arg!” I said when I saw this. Can we have some consistency in design?

Now, if I can just find the last book at a reasonable price, it will complete the set. Then I’ll have to find a way to buy FPW’s last two novels, as Gauntlet released the first of these just recently, and will release the second shortly. It’s madness, I know. I’ve already read them, as I bought the trade editions, which I thought would be the only editions. So it goes.

Book added: Jules Verne’s Little Blue Book of Icy Perils

May 10, 2025 /

Jules Verne (1828 – 1905) was a French writer. His most famous stories are Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864), Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (1870), and Around the World in Eighty Days (1872), all classic “science fiction” books. Back then, the term science fiction didn’t exist, but he’s since been hailed as one of the first science fiction writers. I’m not sure if I’ve ever read the orignal books, though I know the stories well. Somehere in my library I do have a copy of A Journey to the Center of the Earth.

Borderlands Press, continuing it’s mission to publish stories from past masters of horror, fantasy, and science fiction, recently published A Little Blue Book of Icy Perils, which collects three of Verne’s stories, plus a (bonus) sonnet. Edited by Tom Connair, and limited to 500 signed and numbered copies, it joins the ever-growing stack of such books in my library. The copyright date states 2024, but I believe it was offered for sale in early 2025. At least, that’s when I saw it offered for sale, and then bought a copy.

I much prefer the rougher cloth bound versions of these books, at least compared to the smooth bindings. The various bindings and sizes means that these books aren’t 100% uniform, but it is what it is. The series continues, at least for now. If I were the editor in charge, I might pick other writers, but the fact that I’m not the editor in charge means that I’m always surprised, and that’s a good thing!

I also learned from the introduction, that there was no balloon ride in Around the World in Eight Days. My perception of this book had been clouded by various movie versions, where balloon rides were de rigeur. It was strange, then, to read in the first paragraph of the first story about balloon rides. C’est la vie. Verne these days, then, is more well known for cinematic interpretations than his actual words. Quelle surprise.

Book added: Swords Against the Shadowland

May 9, 2025 /

As a long-time fan of Fritz Leiber’s Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser books, when Centipede Press started re-releasing the books in hardcover, I had to have them. Leiber published seven books in the series, starting with Swords and Deviltry and ending with The Knight and Knave of Swords. As Leiber aged, so did his heroes. They endured loss, hardship, delight, love, pain, and injuries along their adventurous lives.

Robin Wayne Bailey, an accomplished writer in his own right, was asked by Leiber to write a book with these two characters. He finished one of three contracted books, but various publishers involved with the books folded, and so there’s only one completed book. Swords Against the Shadowland was published in April 2025 by Centipede Press in a signed an unsigned version. As all my copies are unsigned, as is this one. The book comes with a gorgeous wrap-around cover. After a brief introduction from the author, we dive right into the story. Interestingly, it’s a sequel of sorts to the first book in the series, Swords and Deviltry. The pair are transported back to Lankhmar, a city they vowed never to re-visit after the tragic events they experienced there in the first book.

Centipede Press publishes a wide variety of books. These books are always professionally done. The exterior, the binding, and the interior are carefully crafted. The contents are comprehensive, and illustrated throughout. The books are virtually works of art, more so than a book you’d read. Most of their books sell out quickly, and subsequently fetch a premium on the secondary market. In my case, I bought the first book direct from the publisher back in 2017. Each year since, I’ve plonked down my coin for the next book. I own the first six in Ace paperback editions, and the seventh as a hardcover, but to have these is a crown jewel sort of feeling.

Book added: A Pair of Lansdales

May 5, 2025 /

Joe R. Lansdale has written (and continues to write) a ton of books. I buy them as I find them, which these days isn’t often.

Radiant Apples is a novella published by Subterranean Press in 2021. I found this book online, listed for $20 plus tax and shipping. It’s a slim book—in effect, the kind of book you can read in one sitting. The main character is Nat Love, who previously appeared in the novel, Paradise Sky. My copy is number 301 of 1,500 signed and numbered copies, originally published for $40 in 2021.

Nat Love is now in his 50s, a porter on the Pullman railway in north-east Texas. A train robbery and murder sets him on a quest, and he recruits an old friend as he chases these robbers into Oklahoma from Texas. It appears to be set in 1919, but feels like an old Western from the previous century. Lansdale tones down some of his usual banter, but not by much. Overall it’s a good read, and I think it would be cool to see more stories with Nat Love. That might be tough, however, as between Paradise Sky and this book he got married, had kids, and gave up much of his old life. A glance at Lansdale bibliography told me there were some other Nat Love stories, which led me to the next acquisition.

Fishing for Dinosaurs, also published by Subterranean Press (2020), is a collection of five novellas. It includes “Black Hat Jack,” an earlier Nat Love novella. “Black Hat Jack” previously was published as a separate book (just like Radiant Apples) way back in 2014 by Subterranean Press. It’s cannibalized into this collection (along with another Lansdale novella that also came out by Sub Press), which saved me from having to hunt down the older novella.

Each of the stories is introduced by another writer: Robin Hobb for “Black Hat Jack,” plus Poppy Z. Brite, Richard Chizmar, David J. Schow, and Norman Partridge for the other stories. My copy is number 660 out of 2,500 signed and numbered books, also bought for $20 online, as I’m a few years late from the original publication event, and the book is sold out from the publisher. An edition of 2,500 seems like a lot for a “signed, limited edition,” but, as I care more about the stories than the rarity of the book, I don’t mind. However, I do wish I’d known about it sooner, as I feel guilty that Lansdale isn’t getting a cent from my purchase.

In terms of the other stories, “The Ape Man’s Brother” was published as an eBook and hardcover edition by Subterranean Press. “Prisoner 489″ was published by Dark Regions Press as a lettered edition, a limited edition hardcover, and trade paperback. From what I can tell, the other two stories—”Sixty-Eight Barrels on Treasure Lake,” and the title story—are collected here for the first time, though “Fishing for Dinosaurs” first appeared in 2014 in Limbus Inc. Book II. I may be wrong, as although I own 44 Lansdale books, this is but a fraction of his output.

From the introduction by Lansdale, I learned there are some other Nat Love stories floating around somewhere, and maybe they will turn up in a collection, and maybe I’ll eventually read them.

Books added: Closing out the Nocturnia trilogy

May 4, 2025 /

Tom Monteleone and F. Paul Wilson are both noted horror/sf/suspense writers. Between 2013 and 2018 they co-wrote a Young Adult trilogy under the aegis of Nocturnia. These books take place in an alternate reality inhabited by “monsters”—vampires, werewolves, trolls, zombies, and more. In Nocturnia, humans are rare, treated as slaves or food. Into this place are transported two young humans, who get sucked up in an inter-dimensional tornado while looking for their missing older brother. In Nocturnia they meet various monsters (some good and some some decidedly bad), along with other humans, including Amelia Earhart and Ambrose Bierce, both of whom also were transported there from Humania, as our earth is known. Will the siblings make it back to “the real world?” Will they get eaten or killed by the various monsters? You need to read all three books to learn their fate.

I bought the first book some time last year, as part of my ongoing effort to collect of all F. Paul Wilson’s books. This year I went ahead and picked up the second and third books. All three were published as a joint effort by Borderlands Press and Gauntlet Press. The three hardcovers that I have are all signed/limited editions; prices are not listed in the books, but I think I paid a fair price for each one.

Strangely, the three books have different print runs: The first volume was published in 350 copies, the second 300, and the third 500. While my copy of the first volume is #138 of 350, the second and third are both #69 of those respective numbers. Also, while the covers of the second and third books look similar, they diverge wildly from the cover of the first book. Granted, the cover of the first book was somewhat bizarre, almost as if a child had drawn something for a school project. The second and third covers appear somewhat more professional. Family Secrets, the second book in the series, list a final proofreading credit, but this person missed the copyright page, which mentions the first book in the series, Definitely Not Kansas; this was fixed in the third book, The Secret Ones, as it mentions itself (not the only time Borderlands Press has failed in proofreading something, and in one place the writers use “there” instead of “their” which is almost unforgivable). Per a comment in the third book, chapbook was published, called Secret Ingredient. So far I’ve not seen this chapbook listed anywhere. Is it real? I don’t know.

These books are intended as young adult novels, so the protagonists are young kids. To move the plot along, there are side characters who vary in age and act as foils, mentors, antagonists, love interests, etc. Both the first and second books end on cliffhangers, but that’s not unknown for YA series. At times I think I see which writer is at work, but then again, I’ve read a ton of F. Paul Wilson books, and almost nothing by Monteleone, so I have no sense of the latter’s writing voice or style. I do wonder, in this parallel universe, how all the characters speak English, and how the Nocturnians know certain terms than are unique to American culture, and there only are two scientists in the entire culture in this universe that’s almost a parallel version of our own. But, I guess in cases like this one must suspend all disbelief.

Enchanted Rock Hike

April 26, 2025 /

Enchanted Rock is a strange geological phenomenon outside Fredericksburg, Texas. As a State Park, it’s a heavily visited place, as it’s close to the cities between San Antonio and Austin. Since 1988, when I first arrived in Texas, I’ve visited this park several times, and passed through or visited Fredericksburg even more times than I can count.

However, the last time I climbed the Rock was close to 17 years ago, when I took my brother there. He was visiting from Norway. We rented a house in Fredericksburg in winter and climbed up the Rock on a windy winter day. On the way back to San Antonio we did some wine tasting, and fortunately had someone else as a driver.

Credit Texas State Parks

The hike to the summit is almost straight up. There is no trail once you get on the rocky surface. The views from the top as you look over the Hill Country are spectacular. It was a cloudy day when I was there, which at the end of April meant it wasn’t too hot.

This time, I went by myself, and decided to mix in some hiking around the park. All the other times that I’ve been there I’ve only gone up the Rock, as I’ve been with small kids or non-hikers. On weekends, it’s a popular destination, so I had to make a reservation online. The trip takes around an hour and a half from my house. The last 20 miles are on a narrow winding road, and soon I was part of a convoy stuck behind a nervous driver. My reservation was for an entry at 10:30am, and I planned my trip almost to the minute. I arrived at the park entrance at 10:28am. The ranger on duty took my reservation printout, marked something on it and returned it along with a map. I parked at the first available spot, which wasn’t the smartest thing. I’d planned on hiking the Loop Trail, which wound around the outside of the Rock for about five miles. The start of the trail was not close to where I parked, so I had to walk on the park road a bit to get to the trail. Never having attempted any hiking in the park, I simply went for the first open spot.

The park has several campsites near the entrance, as well as primitive sites around a mile or two away from the main parking areas. I’ve tried to book some of those sites in the Fall, but without luck. You have to book them far in advance during the cooler months, and I tended to wait until it was too late. I carried a pack with water, snacks, and some emergency gear, just in case. Water’s important in the Texas heat.

For the Loop Trail I went clock-wise, starting at what could be considered the nine-o’clock mark. The trail itself is well marked, wide, and mostly made of grushed gravel. There are places here and there where heavy rains have carved a deeper path, but for the most part it’s an easy walk. At one point, the trail diverged. I took the path that went past the Walnut Springs primitive camp sites, as the map indicated it would hook up with the main trail again. In the first few spots of that primitive camping area I saw some tents, but also many open spots. At the end of the camp site area the trail narrowed to a single track path. I was all alone here, and walked in silence. Aside from some lizards and buzzards I saw nothing on this spur. The trail rejoined the Loop trail near Moss Lake campsites. I didn’t see the lake itself, and went on, meeting some other hikers along the way.

As the trail neared the main area of the park, it narrowed to a single track again. I passed some hikers, several who had dogs on leashes. Here the path was rocky, and you had to watch your step. At the end of the Loop trail I paused for a snack, then shouldered my pack again and headed for the Summit Trail.

There were many more hikers on the Summit Trail, as anyone who comes to Enchanted Rock comes here to climb the Rock. It’s just under a mile from parking lot to summit. The rock is bare, pockmarked with holes of varying sizes. Some of these contained water. At times there was some vegetation, but as a photo shows it’s mostly a big rock. What you don’t see is on the other side, where slabs of the rock have fractured and slid down, or are in the process of sliding down. The Rock is slowly disintegrating. I turned and headed back down, then drove into Fredericksburg, where I had a beer and Wienerschnitzel at a biergarten. I walked along main street first, which is mainly shops now, with few places to eat. How the place has changed. Then I left town, passing winery after winery. It’s no longer the place I remember, but at least the Rock is there still.

Just remember, if you plan to visit on the weekend, make your reservation first.

Books added: a pair of Knausgaards

April 15, 2025 /

Norwegian writer Karl Ove Knausgaard was apparently all the rage a few years ago, with his multi-volume series of novels under the aegis of “My Struggle.” To date, six volumes has been published in this series. He’s also written other books, but is best known for the autobiographical series of books under the heading, My Struggle.

Even as a (former) Norwegian, I hesitated buying/reading his books. He’s too contemporary, too fashionable, I thought, each time I came across his name.

Still, someone I know kept asking me every time we met (not very often, but maybe every two years) whether I’d read his books. I guess that, as a Norwegian, it was somehow assumed that I would have read them. Each time, I replied that, “No, I haven’t read any of his books.” It’s not that I haven’t seen his books in bookstores., or been aware of him. The books were there, though not always in the right order, when I I saw them. Still, I hesitated. Maybe I didn’t like his international success (compared to other Norwegian writers that I thought deserved success). Maybe there were other reasons; the book title hewed too closely to another, more infamous, German title, for one.

Recently, however, I came across two of Knausgaard’s books in a used bookstore, and thought, “Why not?” So, I bought them. One of these books was the first volume in his “My Struggle” series. The other, called Winter, was part of another series based around seasons. Knausgaard’s only a couple of years younger than me, yet he’s a prolific and famous author, while I’ve written only some early-draft crime novels. In other words, there is nothing to compare us, unless you contrast success and nothingness. Winter starts with musings on an unknown and future child (he’s apparently not just prolific, but fertile as well). I set this book aside. I might need to find those other season-related books first.

Meanwhile, the first volume of My Struggle begins with Knausgaard musing on death and dead people. This was unexpected, at least to me, as I thought it would start with his own birth. Then again, after talking about dead people and how we treat them. he transitions into a story about himself at the age of eight, having seen a newscast about a Norwegian fishing vessel capsizing, with those on board drowning. He highlights his own reaction to this event, as well as his interactions with his father. That’s as far as I’ve made it at the moment.

The book begins in 1976. Knausgaard was eight years old at that time. In 1976 I was slightly older, about to leave Norway for a second stint in Zambia. I remember this year vividly. At the of age nine in 1976, this might have been was my “starting” moment in terms of memory, more so than at age eight like Knausgaard. So much happened to me in 1976, a major year in my life. Although I also was in Norway at that time, I don’t recall that same shipwreck incident; in my case there were more personal events that I remember (school, location, a first kiss, the apartment, a so-called friend inviting me somewhere and then eating dinner in front of me, as well as many other things that seared into my memory from that year). Maybe, it’s because we didn’t have a TV, maybe it’s because I saw life differently that time. I certainly didn’t think about death then, not for many years. I thought about life, about where I lived, what I did, and what I saw.

Why is the book called “My Struggle?” I don’t know, at least not yet. He seems to to fear his father at that age, something I don’t think I ever experienced. His father seems to come across as strict, almost tyrannical, despite being a teacher. I think my father at that same age was a little distant, but nowhere near the same as Knausgaard’s father. We’re less than two years apart in age (Knausgaard and I), yet so very different. While I bounced between countries and cultures, he existed only in Norway. Having only sampled a few pages, maybe I’m being too judgmental. Again, what’s the struggle? You had a great life, Karl Ove. You didn’t get dragged to a foreign country. You didn’t change your identity. You’re Norwegian, through and through, not someone split between cultures and continents.

Anyway, I guess I need to read more in that book now, to gain a better insight into why he’s famous. Then again, there are five more volumes to dredge through, if I want to know more. I still don’t get it.

« Older posts Newer posts »
amonsen - AT - gmail - DOT - com

© 2026 Anders Monsen

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑

css.php