The dogs of Thessaloniki

Silence published in 1996. Short stories that confirm Askildsen as a master of literary minimalism. The stories revolve around the absence of communication, boredom, and small everyday cruelties. 

The writing is direct, precise, and stripped of adornment. Emotions are always beneath the surface, ready to burst, but rarely do (as in life, moreover). Reading The Dogs of Thessaloniki is like walking on thin ice. Everything seems calm, but something important is about to give way. Paradoxically, this discomfort has a haunting beauty.

Kjell Askildsen (1929–2021) was one of the most important Norwegian writers of the 20th century, widely recognized for his literary short stories. With a concise and stripped-back style, he was often compared to authors such as Raymond Carver or Ernest Hemingway. Translated into several languages, Askildsen maintained a discreet presence on the European literary scene and is now considered a master of restraint.