In October, it became known that Abdulrazak Gurnah received the Nobel Prize in Literature for 2021. The Tanzanian author was unknown to many, but many have now opened their eyes to his books depicting refugees’ experiences of alienation, and encounters with new cultures and continents. As one of the world’s biggest names in literature, Norway is one of his first visits as a recent Nobel Prize winner.
– We are very proud that Norway is one of the first countries Gurnah visits after the awarding of the Nobel Prize, and we look forward to him meeting Norwegian readers, says publishing manager in Gyldendal Cathrine Bakke Bolin to Dagbladet.
– GOT THE EYES UP: Abdulrazak Gurnah was for many an unknown author when he won the prize. Now more people have opened their eyes to his writing. Photo: NTB / REUTERS.
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Gurnah is coming to Norway in connection with the Norwegian Literature Festival in Lillehammer in May next year. The festival is the largest in the Nordic region, and has a broad program with around 300 events, 400 artists, and an audience of just over 30,000.
– Although several of his books were translated into Norwegian and published by Aschehoug in the 90s, there were probably not many Norwegian readers who knew the authorship before the Nobel Prize. I am one of those who have opened their eyes to this important and impressive authorship, and we are very much looking forward to visiting Lillehammer in May, says Marit Borkenhagen, festival director for the Norwegian Literature Festival to Dagbladet.
Gloomy and macabre from the Nobel Prize winner
Refugee
Gurnah received the award for the way he writes about colonialism, it was stated in the Swedish Academy’s justification. Gurnah came to England in 1968, as a refugee from Zanzibar. The 73-year-old’s personal experiences as a refugee are reflected in his writing.
– Without compromise and with great compassion, he has put the spotlight on the consequences of colonialism and the fate of refugees in the meeting between cultures and continent, said author Mats Malm when he announced the winner.
REFUGEE: The Swedish Academy’s Permanent Secretary Mats Malm said in his justification that Gurnah received the award for his portrayal of the consequences of colonialism and the fate of refugees. Photo: NTB / TT.
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Due to the corona pandemic, Gunrah cannot travel to Stockholm to receive the award in December.
– He will be invited to Stockholm at a later date, Malm said.
Many have been waiting patiently for an African author to be awarded the prize. Helge Rønning, professor at the University of Oslo, has written and edited several books on African culture and society. He was surprised by the committee’s decision.
– I’m surprised, and there are probably many who are. It does not surprise me that he is African, but that he became one of the African favorites. One of the reasons for this is probably that he is not perceived as a one hundred percent African author, Rønning told Dagbladet.
fantastic
Empty on the shelves
“Paradise” was Abdulrazak Gurnah’s biggest breakthrough, and was also nominated for the Booker Prize in 1994. Dagbladet’s literature reviewer Inger Bentzrud reviewed the book after the Nobel Prize.
“This year’s Nobel Prize winner in literature, Abdulrazak Gurnah, takes readers on a journey abounding in myths and superstitions, into colonized East Africa. Abdulrazak Gurnah has written ten novels and three of them have so far been translated into Norwegian. “Paradise” tempts to a deeper insight into his writing “, Bentzrud writes.
PAPER CRISIS: The corona pandemic has led to a paper crisis in publishing prices and it has been difficult to print Gurnah’s books. We are currently working on a translation of his latest book Afterlives. Photo: NTB / AP.
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But gaining a deeper insight is easier said than done. Abdulrazak Gurnah has not been in Norwegian printing presses for many years. When he won the Nobel Prize, his books were not to be found, and 250 people were on a waiting list to borrow his books from Deichman. In addition, the publishing industry was affected by one paper crisis and delays due to the pandemic.
– It is an exciting factor right now, but there is no crisis. Maybe Gurnah will sneak into the queue at the printing house, said publishing director of Aschehoug Nora Campbell.
Gyldendal, who is Gunrah’s Norwegian publisher today, informs that several of the author’s works have now been printed and sent out on store shelves. In addition, work is underway to translate his latest book “Afterlives” from 2020, which will be published in Norwegian in May 2022.
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