Folkeuniversitetet: Karl Ove Knausgård and the World Today

On Saturday, Dr.phil. and literature Ph.D. Benjamin Boysen examines two of Karl Ove Knausgård's major works: 'My Struggle' and the 'Morning Star' series. The event is divided into two parts and takes place in the halls of Kolding Library.

The first half is an introduction to 'My Struggle' - the novel that gave Knausgård his major Scandinavian and international breakthrough over a decade ago. Boysen explores how the novel speaks to a contemporary moment marked by skepticism toward democracy and modernity, extreme individualism, and existential rootlessness, addressing themes such as the longing for authenticity, family life, death, and fascination with strongman ideology.

The second half focuses on the 'Morning Star' series, where Knausgård abandons autobiographical openness in favor of a mythic universe. A new star in the sky signals decline and transformation, and a broad cast of characters confronts death, evil, and the inexplicable - the series' exploration of humanity's encounter with the metaphysical in an age dominated by rationality and faith in science.

The event also provides inspiration for further reading on your own.