Henrik Pontoppidan Knihy

Rozsáhlý román Štastný Per představuje jeden z vrcholů dánské realisticko-naturalistické literatury, jejíž největší rozkvět spadá do poslední čtvrtiny minulého století. Autor, nositel Nobelovy ceny za r. 1917, si v něm bere na mušku nezdravou romantiku, snílkovství, naivní víru, že všesamo od sebe dobře dopadne, jakož i neschopnost proměňovat myšlenky v činy. Na osudech farářského synka Petra Sideni, který se vzbouří proti rodině, škole, církvi i celé společnosti a pokusí se "dobýt svět", ale nakonec vlastní vinou ztroskotává, ukazuje, že nestačí chtít a přát si, že v životě je třeba umět důsledně jít za svým cílem a překonávat i nejobtížnější překážky. Spisovatelův pohled na svět a člověka v něm není ovšem vůbec černobílý, jednotlivé postavy knihy jsou nazírány vždy z několika stran, takže kritiku často provází obhajoba, či alespoň snaha o pochopení.

Dánsko v realistickém líčení měkkého jihu a drsného severu, od dun až po vřesoviště, od lásky po nenávist, od pochopení po roztržky... tak, jak jej viděl nositel Nobelovy ceny za rok 1917.

At the height of his powers, Per Sidenius, the son of a poor religious minister, is a fortunate man. He has the whole of the approaching twentieth century in his grasp: a fabulously rich Jewish heiress as a soon-to-be wife, burgeoning fame as a forward- and free-thinking man of the ‘New Age’ and success in having put his sorry childhood behind him. But just as he reaches the lofty heights of bourgeois success, Per begins to deeply question his life. A series of events then unfold which Nobel Prize–winning author Henrik Pontoppidan describes with unflinching honesty and intensely human passion. Here is the hectic foment of social and religious debate, the unrepentant greed of finance sharks, the hot coals of pure and illicit love. Then the biggest questions of all – who am I and what have I to do? With A Fortunate Man (1898–1904) one of Denmark’s greatest ever writers manages not only to sound the depths of his nation’s soul but also to paint a huge European canvas stretching from vintage Copenhagen to the sultry heat of Rome at the turn of the nineteenth century. Heralded by such influential figures as Thomas Mann and Georg Lukács as a seminal work, this is a truly breathtaking novel which places Henrik Pontoppidan as one of the true greats of modern European literature.

Henrik Pontoppidan's early work, published in 1896, showcases his evolution from engineer to journalist and writer. Known for his deep exploration of Danish culture, Pontoppidan gained acclaim for notable titles like The Promised Land and won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1917. This edition includes a new introductory biography, providing context to his literary contributions and the societal themes he addressed throughout his career.

Exploring the quest for an ideal domestic life, the narrative follows Niels Thomsen, a young man who marries his childhood friend Marie and purchases a farm. As he strives to create a perfect home, Niels confronts the disparity between his dreams and the harsh realities of rural life. Themes of love, marriage, family, and societal expectations are intricately woven throughout the story. Recognized as one of Henrik Pontoppidan's most beloved works, this novel holds a significant place in Danish literary history.