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Peter Nilson (1937-1998) | |
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Swedish writer and astronomer, whose works moved between poetry and science, modern cosmological theories and fiction. Nilson became first known as a popularizer of science, but he also wrote novels following the tradition of magic realism. He has studied in several work how myths and science together have influenced our world view. In his novels Nilson have often set tales of individual aspirations and fates against his large cosmic visions. "The great, cosmic story is different from all the tales we can make up on the earth," Nilson has said. "We do not know anything about its end, we cannot even imagine how it is going to end. A tragedy, comedy - or perhaps something else." Nilson's books have been translated into some 13 languages. "Kanhända är även tomrummet en del av byggnadsmaterial till universum?" Peter Nilson was born in Näsby, Småland, but at the age of ten his family moved to Möcklehut, where he grew up. His father worked as a miller, carpenter and farmer. After finishing elementary school Nilson helped at the farm. He undertook correspondence courses and graduted in 1959 from a secondary school. After doing his military service, he entered the University of Uppsala, where he studied astronomy, physics, mathematics, esthetics, and history of learning. From 1964 Nilson worked at Astronomiska Observatoriet, where he wrote his doctoral thesis, GENERAL CATALOGUE OF GALAXIES (1973), was a classification of 12 921 galaxies. In 1977 Nilson abandoned his career as an scientist and researcher and devoted himself entirely to literature. He published historical and science fiction novels, columns, and essays, which gained a wide audience from the 1980s. UPPTÄCKTEN AV UNIVERSUM (1975) was Nilson first collection of essays, which dealt among others Johannes Kepler, Hermann Hesse's The Glass Bead Game, and Goethe's theory of colors. In radio he introduced the world of the stars to the general public in the program Svar i dag. In 1986 he was awarded the Harry Martinson Prize, and in 1993 he was elected member of The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Peter Nilson died on March 8, 1998. Nilson's career as a science fiction writer started with novel ARKEN (The Ark), a visionary history from the birth of earth to the end of the universe. The protagonist is Benjamin, a man who cannot die and who wanders through counties and centuries, eventually heading for stars. In AVGRUNDSBOKEN (The Book of the Abyss) Nilson combined legend and religion with science fiction, when the main character, Queen of Sheba, is followed in her journeys through space and time. Nilson had already started to compose the story, a large novel, in his teens. TROLLKARLEN (1979), set in the late Middle Ages, was a story of an adventurer and magician, Bernward Bienewitz, who is drawn into a game of evil powers which he is not able to control. In the character of Bernward, and his unsatiable appetite for knowledge, Nilson has also described himself. "I hans vidlyftiga själ rörde sig tankar om allt mellan jordens medelpunkt och primum mobile, allt mellan argumentum ontologicum and statskonstens principer, allt mellan biets flykt och ekvinoktiernas omlopp. ... Han war en av dessa oemotståndliga människor som blir upprymda och lyckliga över att tala on outgrundliga tid." GULDSPIKEN (1985) was set in the 19th-century, and was partly based on lives of real people. The protagonist, Elias, is an orphan and a misfit, plagued by religious visions. He works at a mill, drinks, and finally escapes to the sea. Back in Sweden he decides to start a new life, and moves to America. After years of wandering he finds gold with the help of ghosts and returns to home as a rich man. On the other level the novel is a story of rebel against God - all of Elias's journeys are just a way fight against his fate to become a preacher. Among Nilson's later works are RYMDVÄKTAREN (1995) and its sequel NYAGA (1996), a blend of science fiction story and philosophical essay. In the story unknown cosmic powers revealed by young scientists, Danny and Ninni. After a series of earth-shattering catastrophes alien createrus give people a glimpse of the secrets of the universe. STJÄRNVÄGAR (1991), examining how the modern world view sees the universe, was based on texts published earlier in the magazines Dagens Industri och Sköna Hem. Nilson returned to its themes in RYMDLSJUS (1992) and SOLVINDAR (1993). In DEN GAMLA BYN (1997) Nilson focused on his birth region in Småland and its history. Most of his books Nilson wrote in Tierps, Uppland, where he lived with his family in an old parsonage from the 18th century. For further reading: På jakt efter verkligheten by Erik Hjalmar Linder (1986); 'I litteraturkrisens spår' by Peter Luthersson (1990, Den Svenska Litteraturen, vol. VI); Hur jag blev författare, pub. by Norstedts förlag (1997); Svenska samtidsförfattare 1, pub. by Bibliotekstjänst (1997); Vem är vem i svensk litteratur by Agneta and Lars-Erik Blomqvist (1999) - Other modern Nordic writers who have published science fiction: Bertil Mårtenson, Sven Christer Swahn, Øyvind Myrhe, Niels E. Nielsen, Jon Bing, Tor Åge Bringsvaerd, Knut Faldbakken, Sam J. Lundwall (the best-known Scandinavian science fiction novelist), P.C. Jersild, John-Henri Holmberg, George Johansson, Anders Bodelsen, Axel Jensen, Per Wahlöö, Leena Krohn. - For firther information: Peter Nilsons hemsida SELECTED WORKS:
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