the abyss means...

Hectic gave me a present the other day. It was a good present. It was this:

It is fascinating in part because it shows a mid-point in the development of the Norwegian language, but also for the inscription which enthralled me.

I saw this inscription and said to myself 'Kittelsen. A relative of Theodor Kittelsen? No, the chances of that are incredible!'

A couple of days later I showed this book to my mother who astounded me even more.

She said:

"There were two Kittelsen's living in London during that time. They were brother and sister who had come over to England during the Great war as diplomats. I cannot remember what her name was, but she was a dancer for the rich and famous. I think they were distant relatives of THE Kittelsen. Eventually they moved to Kemp Town in Brighton. I know she died a few years ago. Neither of them had any children, so it could be that he has passed on as well."

My mother got the local phone directory and looked up this man, but he was no longer there. It is sad to think of the history of these two people going unremarked because they had no children. It is astounding to think that such a book would end up in my hands where my mother could see it, and remember.

The facts point to this having been that woman's bible, but because I am unable to check with relatives I shall never know for certain.

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Via Somewhere on January 24, 2004 09:15 PM