The School of Night

Paperback Published on: 06/08/2026; Language: English, Norwegian (Original language of a translated text)
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Published 06/08/2026
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Coming soon
Published 06/08/2026
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Bookseller Reviews

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The School of Night
Wow...Hell is here...
The narrator, Kristian Hadeland, is a photography student studying in 80s London. Early in the book, during a Christmas family gathering at his parents' ho... READ MORE
Selena, Guildford
The School of Night
Knausgaard’s new novel is a peak (so far) in his Morning Star series
Knausgaard’s new novel is a peak (so far) in his Morning Star series. It combines that typical Knausgaard sparse, yet detail focused, prose with a compelli... READ MORE
Connor Smyth

Synopsis

'A damned masterpiece' Sunday Times

'An almost dangerously immersive reading experience that will completely take over your life... utterly captivating' Martin MacInnes, Booker longlisted author of IN ASCENSION

London. 1985. A city rife with possibility and desire. One young man who wants it all.

Kristian Hadeland, newly arrived in the city, seethes with ambition and contempt. His family in Norway never understood him; his fellow photography students bore him. But he knows he and his art are destined for more.

Then he meets Hans, an eccentric Dutch artist. With Hans, the future Kristian yearns for is tangible. All art is possible. Any line can be crossed.

But success comes at a price. And when Kristian does the unthinkable, will he be prepared to pay it?

Electrifying and unflinching, The School of Night is a singular novel about artistic creation and human corruption. It is the story of one terrible man's rise and fall, and a reckoning with the darkest parts of human nature.

'Addictive and eerie' Guardian

‘Engrossing, dark and amusing' Rachel Kushner, Booker shortlisted author of CREATION LAKE

'Mysterious, unsettling, thought provoking, unpredictable and darkly entertaining' Colin Barrett, Booker longlisted author of WILD HOUSES

‘Dark and precise about the underside of human desire and connection. . . painfully funny’ Megan Nolan, author of ACTS OF DESPERATION

PRAISE FOR KARL OVE KNAUSGAARD:

‘Absorbs you utterly’ Sunday Times
‘One of the most genuinely suspenseful, alluring books I’ve ever read’ Brandon Taylor
‘Addictive’ Daily Telegraph
‘Brilliant storytelling . . . Epic’ Independent
'Strikingly humane, unsettling, and wholly unique' Ferdia Lennon
‘As accessible and creepy as anything by Stephen King and as addictive as your favourite TV drama’ Spectator
'One of my literary heroes' Torrey Peters
‘Knausgaard is among the finest writers alive’ New York Times

Publisher information

  • Publisher: Vintage Publishing
  • ISBN: 9781529967494
  • Number of pages: 512
  • Dimensions: 198 x 129 x 35 mm
  • Weight: 500g
  • Languages: English, Norwegian (Original language of a translated text)

Customer Reviews

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The School of Night
Lyrical, intelligent writing
The protagonist in this book is Kristian, a young Norwegian living in London and hoping to have a glittering career in photography. Kristian is not a like... READ MORE
Kaye Fraser
This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.
The School of Night
Four stars!
The School of Night is a dark and unsettling book that explores the cost of ambition and the corruption that comes with chasing perfection. Karl Ove Knausg... READ MORE
The Secret Book Review
The School of Night
Very dark but also very good!
I have to admit that I came to this book without knowing that the author is a Norwegian cultural icon, has written over twenty books and is critically admi... READ MORE
Jim Sweetman
This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.
The School of Night
A Gripping Whirlwind
Knausgaard himself has apologised for creating such a nasty character, and in the beginning it was tough to stick with him, to see the world only through h... READ MORE
Benedict Ness
This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.
The School of Night
A long book, beautifully written, but with an unlikeable protagonist
The protagonist in this book is Kristian, a young Norwegian living in London and hoping to have a glittering career in photography. Kristian is not a like... READ MORE
Kaye Fraser
The School of Night
Great read, after a slightly meh beginning, I was completely hooked.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. 4.5. I really enjoyed this, it is an absorbing read, It is quite long and I w... READ MORE
am/am/am
The School of Night
The Morning Star series continues, and things are about to get even more unnerving...
- Deeply detestable character – check - Fluid plotline with some twists – check - Classic story simmering under the surface – check It’s Knausgaard ti... READ MORE
Thomas Nugent