Author

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.

From Per Petterson

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.

From Per Petterson

When my mother talked about her brother, there was this light in her eyes. I thought, 'This is the basis of a novel.'

From Per Petterson

I hate plots.

From Per Petterson

'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.

From Per Petterson

When you are a sentence-based writer, they have to be good. They have to be really on the spot. Because when you don't have a plot, really, what shall you rely on? Just language. And sometimes I am so afraid of writing the wrong thing, I just sit and wait for the right thing to come.

From Per Petterson

I write about families. That is who we are.

From Per Petterson

1989 was such a very, very important year in Europe. The wall fell, the Soviet Union was crumbling, and so many things happened - in 15 minutes, the world changed.

From Per Petterson

Making sentences is what I do. I mean, the story will come as I write.

From Per Petterson

I rely heavily on rhythm when I write. You should tap your foot when you read it, all the way through.

From Per Petterson

Per Petterson

Notable Quotes

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