I decided if I couldn't be a writer, my life would be miserable. I had this imaginary room of references to all the books I had read, a kind of bubble, in which I lived. Per Petterson bookbubbledecide Change image and share on social
To tell you the truth, I don't edit much at all. Most times, when I have finished the first draft, that's the book. Of course, I work on the page I am on until I am happy with it. I might even say that I try to state the landscape. Per Petterson bookdraftedit share on social
I'm a family-based person, even though we didn't exactly have a very happy family. I was never in any doubt that this was a centre of writing. Per Petterson basecentredoubt Change image and share on social
I don't know if nature is a direct literary influence on my writing, but it is certainly important to me. I take great joy in writing about it. It is something I have taken with me from my childhood; the body exposed to the threat of the physical world and at the same time being at home in it. Per Petterson bodychildhooddirect share on social
'In the Wake' was a very bleak book. This relationship was not too good, the father and son. This time around, I wanted a father and a son who really loved each other, which would be visible on the first page and would still be there on the last page. Per Petterson bleakbookfather share on social
Philosophically I am, or at least have been, a follower of Sartre. I am very interested in the choices we make, or don't make, in life-defining matters. That moment of 'angst' and its consequences can be such a cruel thing. Per Petterson angstchoiceconsequence share on social
A lot can change because you are embarrassed by something. Per Petterson changeembarrasslot Change image and share on social
I was born in 1952, so obviously the sixties were important. That's when I came of age. It was also a revolutionary period, a complete break with the generation before us in terms of culture, literature, music, and in politics, of course. 1968 was an important year; I was 16, and the world became clear to me, visible, so to say. Per Petterson agebearbreak share on social
If you're a Norwegian writer, you are not visible in the world. The door of the English language is very hard to open for a Norwegian writer. Per Petterson doorenglishhard Change image and share on social
In a household tragedy, you are very much aware of being alone. It is something that is possible to grasp, and that is why it hurts so much. Because you are alone. I know a little about this. Per Petterson awaregrasphousehold Change image and share on social