Septology Summary
Jon Fosse

Septology Overview

Jon Fosse’s Septology is a meditative exploration of identity, memory, and spirituality, told through the fragmented consciousness of Asle, a painter living in rural Norway. The narrative intertwines the lives of two versions of Asle—one sober and devout, the other trapped in alcoholism—blurring the boundaries between past and present, reality and memory. As Asle reflects on his relationships, including his love for his late wife Ales, his friendship with Åsleik, and his connection to art and faith, the novel delves into themes of loss, redemption, and the search for meaning. Through its cyclical structure, repetitive imagery, and lyrical prose, Septology presents a profound meditation on the complexities of existence and the intersections of the human and the divine.