The Guest
The Guest
Niklas RådströmIn early summer 1857, H. C. Andersen sets out on a long European journey to many of the cities he had visited on earlier travels. In his luggage he carries his new novel To Be or Not to Be in three editions—Danish, German, and English. The most important goal of this journey, however, is to visit the person to whom the new book is dedicated: Charles Dickens. During the spring he has received letters from Dickens almost pleading with him to come for a visit—an invitation Andersen naturally must accept.
The two writers are both at the height of their careers; they admire and respect one another. But their meeting will not live up to the expectations they have each built up. After only a few days, Dickens can hardly get rid of his guest quickly enough, yet Andersen stays with the family for five weeks. After that, they have no further contact, despite Andersen’s attempts.
Niklas Rådström’s book is a fictional meditation on a real event—and a reflection on the conditions of writing and the dream of friendship.
Material available:
English translation
Rights sold
Croatian: Agm
Danish: Jensen & Dalgaard
