Should Hamsun's Jubilee Be Celebrated?

The ugly politics of Hunger's author continue to overshadow his achievements in literature

'How far can they go?' ... Knut Hamsun. Photograph: Bettman/Corbis

Knut Hamsun, the Nobel laureate and acclaimed author of Hunger, continues to court controversy more than half a century after his death. Last month the Israeli foreign minister condemned the celebration of the writer's work, currently taking place in his native land. "I was shocked to discover that the Norwegian government had decided to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Hamsun, who was an admirer of the Nazis," said Avigdor Lieberman.

• Should Hamsun's jubilee be celebrated? (guardian.co.uk)