It is not true that the heart empties itself of all desires.
Per Petterson – I Curse the River of Time
Enduring Desires
E
Per Petterson is a Norwegian author celebrated for his spare yet evocative prose and poignant storytelling. Born on July 18, 1952, in Oslo, Norway, Petterson worked various jobs, including as a librarian and bookseller, before devoting himself to writing full-time. He gained international acclaim with his novel “Out Stealing Horses” (2003), which won several prestigious literary awards, including the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize and the Norwegian Booksellers’ Prize. “I Curse the River of Time” (2008) is another critically acclaimed work by Petterson, exploring the life of Arvid Jansen, a disillusioned middle-aged man reflecting on his failed marriage and the political ideals of his youth. Petterson’s novels often delve into themes of memory, loss, and the passage of time, capturing the emotional landscapes of his characters with depth and sensitivity. His writing is characterized by its introspective quality and profound insights into the human condition, making him a prominent voice in contemporary Scandinavian literature.