My 1886 Lecture Tour, by Knut Hamsun (1859–1952): A Humorous Short Story

The Norwegian Nobel laureate Knut Hamsun (1859–1952) is celebrated for his groundbreaking novels and sharp psychological insight. In his native Norway, however, he is equally loved for his warm, humorous depictions of everyday life and local culture. In this witty short story, Hamsun draws on his own experiences during a lecture tour of his homeland in 1886. Narrated and translated by Michael Henrik Wynn (editor of the educational streaming service Historyradio.org), this charming satire reveals the author’s keen eye for human folly and Norwegian small-town life. Knut Hamsun received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1920.