Lars Gustafsson

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Early Years and Academic Pursuits

Lars Gustafsson, a multifaceted storyteller, poet, and essayist, emerged into the world on May 17, 1936, in the charming town of Västerås, Sweden. In the pages of his notebooks, he reflects on a solitary childhood marked by a deep contemplation of life's profound questions. From the tender age of fourteen, the allure of poetry beckoned him. In 1955, he left Västerås behind to embark on an academic journey at the University of Uppsala, immersing himself in philosophy, aesthetics, sociology, and literature. His scholarly pursuits took a prestigious turn in 1957 when he earned a scholarship to Magdalene College at Oxford University. That year also heralded the debut of his literary voice with Vägvila: Ett mysteriespel på prosa: Till det förflutna och minnet av vindar (Rest at the Roadside: A Mystery Play in Prose: To the Past and the Memory of Winds). This was soon followed by his first novel, Poeten Brumbergs sista dagar och död: En romantisk berättelse (The Poet Brumberg’s Final Days and Death: A Romantic Story), in 1959, and his inaugural poetry collection in 1962.

Literary Endeavors and Recognition

With a Filosofie Licentiat degree from the University of Uppsala secured in 1960, Gustafsson ventured into the world of publishing, assuming the role of editor and later editor-in-chief from 1965 to 1972 of the esteemed Bonniers Litterära Magasin. In 1962, he married Madeleine Lagerberg, and together they raised two children. The 1960s were a prolific period for Gustafsson, during which he unveiled four poetry collections, three novels, and five volumes of essays. Select works from his poetry were translated into English in The Stillness of the World before Bach: New Selected Poems (1988). His critical essays resonated across Europe, cementing his status as a thinker who wrestled with the political and philosophical dilemmas of the day.

Global Exploration and Literary Success

The 1970s saw Gustafsson embark on extensive travels worldwide, experiences that fueled the creation of five novels, further solidifying his reputation in Swedish literary circles. Among these, Tennisspelarna: En berättelse (1977) stood out, marking his first novel translated into English as The Tennis Players (1983). In 1978, he achieved another academic milestone with a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Uppsala.

Personal Transformation and Continued Creativity

In 1981, Gustafsson embraced Judaism, leaving behind the Lutheran faith of his upbringing. This year also saw the release of his short story collection, Berättelser om lyckliga människor, introducing readers to "Greatness Strikes Where It Pleases." This collection found its way into English as Stories of Happy People, translated by Yvonne L. Sandström and John Weinstock, and published by New Directions in 1986.

American Chapter and Translated Works

In 1982, Gustafsson embarked on a new chapter, relocating to Austin, Texas, where he joined the University of Texas as an adjunct professor of Germanic Studies. Following the end of his first marriage, he found love again with Dena Alexandra Chasnoff and became a U.S. citizen in 1983. During the 1980s, two of his novels were translated into English: Sorgemusik för frimurare (1983) as Funeral Music for Freemasons (1987), and Bernard Foys tredje rockad (1986) as Bernard Foy’s Third Castling (1988). Another of his works, En kakelsättares eftermiddag, reached English readers as A Tiler’s Afternoon (1993).

Legacy and Accomplishments

By 2005, Lars Gustafsson's literary tapestry included eighteen novels, with his works translated into fifteen languages, garnering numerous accolades. Among these honors were the Prix Européen de l’essai Charles Veillon (1983), the Swedish Academy’s Bellman Prize (1990), and the Swedish Pilot Prize (1996), underscoring his enduring impact on the literary world.

Criticism by Lars Gustafsson

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