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In Memoriam: The Life and Works of Kjell Askildsen

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Norwegian writer, Kjell Askildsen (born 1929).

Askildsen is one of the most acclaimed modern Norwegian writers, particularly for his short stories. In recent years, Askildsen’s books began garnering a well-deserved international audience, with publication of his collected works in the US, UK, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden, among other countries.

In April of this year, Archipelago published Askildsen’s Everything Like Before, translated into English by Seán Kinsella. The collection received glowing reviews from its English-speaking readers, with Publisher’s Weekly writing:

“The lengthier works shine brightest, among them: ‘A Sudden Liberating Thought’ in which a Beckett-like series of encounters between two old men becomes a discourse on euthanasia; and ‘Mardon’s Night,’ where three people’s thoughts and actions blur in enigmatic blocks of text…. this definitive volume brims with stellar material.”

We are grateful that we had the opportunity to publish Kjell Askildsen’s work. His stories will continue to excite and inspire for years to come.