Septology by Jon Fosse
A hypnotic, bleak, stream-of-consciousness novel about grief, sobriety, faith. And the main character has a doppleganger with exactly the same name. Not confusing at all.
Jon Fosses’s Septology compiles three books (The Other Name, I Is Another, and A New Name) equaling 7 parts. We follow Asle, a sober, grief-stricken painter, the 7 days leading up to Christmas. We’re a fly on the wall in Asle’s brain, reading his thoughts on the wife he lost, the sister he lost, his addictions and later sobriety, Catholicism, and his doppleganger, Asle.
Structurally, Septology is fully written in stream of consciousness. Don’t expect punctuation other than commas and a few exclamation or questions marks along the way. Quotations are nonexistent, and we’re often switching between present and past. This may seem intimidating, but as someone who doesn’t love stream of consciousness writing, Septology was hypnotic. The story flowed seamlessly, and while Asle was not experiencing much during these days (other than driving back and forth to Björgvin), Septology was never dry or boring.
The doppleganger aspect was challenging for me at first, mainly because when Asle switched to the past, he referred to himself in third person. I thought third person Asle was doppleganger Asle, & that’s not the case. Like at all. Very few moments of doppleganger Asle’s past are shared through main Asle’s thoughts. I thought the concept was interesting, in that they shared so much but due to sobriety, their fates split. I also never figured out why there were two Guro’s, or Asle’s true history with Guro #1. If anyone has an idea lmk.
Asle’s commentary on Catholicism and faith stood out to me throughout Septology. What we give words to brings life, inclusive of religion and not. I loved how he described God showing himself to us in moments of silence, and that he’s most visible when hidden, or concealed.
Ultimately, I did really enjoy Septology. If you’re someone who doesn’t need much plot, and enjoys a pretty bleak, character driven story, this might be for you.
Fun Fact: Jon Fosse and Asle have a ton in common! From the long gray ponytail, to painting, to sobriety. Asle even influenced Fosse to purchase a black velvet jacket!