Jan Kjærstad is one of Scandinavia’s most prominent contemporary authors. He made his debut in 1980 with a collection of short stories titled, “The Earth Turns Quietly.” Over the years, he has written a number of novels, short stories, and essays. He has also been awarded with numerous national and international prizes. The two first books in his trilogy about Jonas Wergeland have been published in the US. Jan Kjærstad's last book in this trilogy - "The Discoverer"- will be published in the US by Open Letter this Fall.
Jan Kjærstad will start his US visit with an event in Washington D.C.
When:Saturday, April 25, 2009 4-6 p.m.
Where:Busboys and Poets, 1025 5th Street NW
Followed by three official PEN events in New York.
PEN World Voices Reading and Conversation with Mark Binelli
When: Thursday, April 30, 6.00 p.m.
Where:University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627
Where Truth Lies: A Conversation on the Art of Fiction
This conversation between writers dealing with challenging subject matter explores the human need to tell stories, why fiction seems to be hard-wired into us as a species, and where truth lies in the most compelling stories of our time. It is the first in a series of launch events for the new Center for Fiction in New York City (formerly the Mercantile Library Center for Fiction).
When: Saturday, May 2, 2009: 1–2:30 p.m.
Where: FIAF, Tinker Auditorium, 55 East 59th Street
Faith & Fiction
Religion and religious faith are increasingly making their presence felt throughout the world in both politics and culture. Our panel will discuss some of the questions this change raises: if fiction is make-believe and faith is must-believe, can writers reconcile the absolutes of religious faith with the necessary uncertainties that attend both the production and reception of stories? Is what is meant by religious truth the same as artistic truth? If these truths are indeed different—and perhaps profoundly so—how might a novelist serve two masters?
When: Sunday, May 3, 2009: 1–2:30 p.m.
Where: PowerHouse Books, 37 Main Street, Brooklyn
In addition to the official PEN events, Kjærstad will also attend three other event's in New York.
Event at the Norwegian Seaman's Church in NYC
Meet Jan Kjærstad at the Norwegian Seamen's Church as he presents his latest novel published in the United States, "The Conqueror".
When: Tuesday, April 28., 7:30 p.m.
Where: 317 East 52nd Street
Event at 192 Books in NYC
Norwegian author Jan Kjærstad, will read from his novel, The Conquerer and discuss his upcoming novel The Discoverer. Kjærstad has won many awards for his writing including the The Swedish Academy of Literature’s Dobloug Prize and The German Henrik Steffens Prize.
When:Wednesday, April 29, 7.00 p.m.
Where: 192 Tenth Avenue
Nordic Lit Party
Join us for a reception and book signing with two of Scandinavia's most celebrated authors: Morten Ramsland and Jan Kjaerstad.
When: Saturday, May 2, 7.00 - 9:00 p.m.
Where: Idlewild Bookstore, 12 West 19th Street, NYC