Mimir Kristjson wrote an amusing biography of him John Michelet. The book presents a diverse profile of the author, journalist, editor, and political agitator.
What a man John Michelet was! What a fool! What a generous and warm person! But what a cliché! And for the ability to work!
Contrasts abound, and Christianson’s show is both admirable and counterproductive.
At the bottom is a really inspiring story about perseverance and the ability to complete.
red Michelet
The political project was central to most of what Michelet did. The autobiography paints the picture of an idealistic and generous man with a burning desire to correct the injustice of the world.
Until the mid-1980s, Michelet donated a large portion of the proceeds from his bestselling books to the AKP (ml). Many of the activities in which Michelet has long been involved have been linked to this influential and peculiar political environment since 2021.
Michelet participated in the Klassecampen newspaper first as a journalist, and later as a controversial editor. He worked for the publishing house Oktober and shared an office with Tronsmo bokhandel.
The reader gets an insight into the initial stage of what later became important institutions in Norwegian cultural and social life.
Committed: Already at the school of sailors, Jean Michelet was nicknamed Red Michelet. Most of what the author did was motivated by political awareness. Here he takes part in a demonstration in Oslo in 1989 against shipowner Fred Olsen for using Filipino crews on his boats.
Photo: Larsen, Anymore/NTP-scanpix
Filling with mir and Michelet
The resume contains some blind spots. Christianson shares Michelet’s basic political views and can sometimes put more distance.
It’s thought-provoking, for example, that Michelet spends so much time fighting for a better world, but apparently does little to address her marital problems or her anger.
Michelet’s alcohol consumption causes an astonishing number of chairs and wine glasses to be thrown between the walls, Painful and painful quarrelsSmooth dungeon, cry, fight and prison. Here an abyss not always found in Christianson’s text is revealed.
Similarities: Mimir Kristeghonon, like John Michelet, was also Rohde’s politician, author and journalist at Clasampien and national celebrity. He is now sitting in Parliament for Red.
Photo: Ole Berg Resting / NTB
On the one hand, one could say that Christianson avoids moral preaching. The reader can make his own decision. But isn’t this an unused opportunity to delve into the pain points in Michelet’s life?
On April 9 this year, Kristjánsson published an article in Morgenbladet About the “brother of wine” and the pleasures of wine. The perspective is “prevalent” in Norway, but I’m wondering if this obvious connection to alcohol stands in the way of another critical level in the biography?
Christianson mentions in the epilogue that Michelet is the only source for many of the stories, at the same time he states that Michelet is not always a reliable narrator. It may seem as though Christianson still goes a long way to empathize with him in many of the more problematic episodes.
When John Michelet was arrested for drunk driving in 1982, the explanation was that he had retaliated: A group of police officers were jealous of the author’s success with a group of female student teachers in the bar of a high-mountain hotel. Once again, Michelet becomes a victim of «class action‘” writes Christianson.
This is probably a sarcastic comment, but it’s not too good to say. At the risk of appearing plausible, the undersigned think it’s a good idea to get caught. But then I might think I’m morally greater than Christson.
hollywood physical
Michelets Six volumes of work on sailors of war It is the common thread in the autobiography, and Christianson disposes of the material well. Right from the opening scene where the young helmsman sits in the cabin and decides to become a writer, so that later, with varying degrees of success, he tries to write about Norwegian sailors.
Michelet writes other books, gets drunk, and avoids the big task. Only at the end of his life does it begin. To complete her life’s work, Michelet must become more humble and focused. The alcohol must be put away, and Michelet finishes writing the last volume on her deathbed.
That’s the kind of story most classic Hollywood movies are based on, a true “hero’s journey,” enough to make goosebumps.
I would have loved to have seen this as a feature film with the Christianson play at the bottom. Perhaps with Nicolai Cleve Broch as Michelet and Tobias Santelmann as Dag Solstad, Michelet’s close friend and the cunning character of Loki in the Kristjánsson production.
Five Novels: John Michelet’s five-volume work on Norwegian war sailors was very popular. Michelet wrote in the last volume until his death.
Photo: Anna Leticia Siegvartsen/NRK
will you stay
Through the six novels about sailors of war, Michelet breathed new life into writing.
One can still ask oneself what remains of Michelet’s books. Crime books about Thygesen are central to the history of crime in the Nordic countries, and as part of the war settlement, the War Sailor Books meant a huge amount to many people.
However, I don’t think new generations of readers will take Michelet’s books on the beach or the Easter mountains in 40-50 years, except perhaps for the football books he wrote with Dag Solstad.
In addition, narrative prose is heavy with information. This does not underestimate Michelet.
Most of the written words have been forgotten. But John Michelet’s life was very memorable and his biography is definitely worth reading.
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Further reading is recommended:
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