Pan

Pan is a novel written by Knut Hamsun, first published in 1894. It’s considered one of his masterpieces and a cornerstone of early modernist literature. The novel blends psychological introspection, naturalism, and lyricism—hallmarks of Hamsun's style.

Knut Hamsun was a Norwegian author, widely regarded as one of the most important figures in modernist literature. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1920 for his novel Growth of the Soil (Markens Grøde). Hamsun’s work often explores inner psychology, alienation, and the tension between nature and civilization—themes central to his novels like Hunger, Mysteries, Pan, and Victoria. He broke away from the realism and social critique typical of 19th-century literature, pioneering a stream-of-consciousness style and a focus on individual, often troubled, protagonists. His influence can be seen in authors such as Franz Kafka, Thomas Mann, Hermann Hesse, and Ernest Hemingway.