The island has run out of oxygen
January 28, 2019 7:32 AM   Subscribe

Niviaq Korneliussen is a queer writer from Greenland whose work has recently been translated into english.

Her book, Crimson, is a novel about love, identity, queerness and colonialism as experienced by Greenlanders. The original text was written and published in the Greenlandic language, and was a best-seller in Greenland but also in Denmark.

Bonus link : an interview in english on the french podcast "La Poudre"
posted by motdiem2 (11 comments total) 18 users marked this as a favorite
 
Sounds interesting!

(Does anyone know if "Crimson", "Homo Sapienne", and "Last Night in Nuuk" are all the same book? I think so from the descriptions, but I'm not 100% sure and would like to know for certain before I pick up a copy.)
posted by kyrademon at 8:31 AM on January 28, 2019


Crimson and Homo Sapienne are definitely the same book. The former is the name of the UK version, the latter I think the original and the french translation.
posted by motdiem2 at 8:47 AM on January 28, 2019


Cool, thanks, just put it on hold at the library!
posted by ITheCosmos at 8:50 AM on January 28, 2019


Last Night in Nuuk is the American title.

I love this book. I read it last year in Icelandic translation. It’s simultaneously seeking after new ways to depict the world as it is today, and is also the queer romcom we all deserve.

There seems to be a generation of brilliant Greenlandic writers appearing now. Zombiet Nunaat (Zombieland), which is not actually a zombie book but a collection of really bleak short stories, by Sørine Steenholdt is really striking as well. There are quite a few really good poets stepping onto the scene as well. I’m really excited to see what happens next in Greenlandic literature.
posted by Kattullus at 2:36 PM on January 28, 2019 [4 favorites]


Not on Kindle yet, it appears?
posted by frumiousb at 2:37 PM on January 28, 2019


Kindle edition is here (as Last Night in Nuuk).
posted by Kattullus at 2:42 PM on January 28, 2019 [2 favorites]


Well I’m definitely all in for a queer romcom set in Greenland (it’s like you have a LIST of things I like in a book), so this has gone on my wishlist, thanks!
posted by angeline at 3:13 PM on January 28, 2019 [1 favorite]


Thanks, Kattullus!
posted by frumiousb at 5:47 PM on January 28, 2019 [1 favorite]


I'm so extremely here for this. Thank you for bringing it to my attention - this will be next on my to-read list.
posted by Gordafarin at 8:12 AM on January 29, 2019 [1 favorite]


I should mention that there's plenty of bleakness in the book. My bleakness expectations for contemporary Greelandic literature had been set by the bleaktastic Zombiet Nunaat, and by comparison Last Night in Nuuk was sunshine and a light breeze. Mind you, I love both books.
posted by Kattullus at 12:52 PM on January 29, 2019 [1 favorite]


I love bleak. Bleak is oddly satisfying, when it’s Scandinavian literature. Just feels right.
posted by angeline at 10:34 PM on February 1, 2019 [1 favorite]


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