"Elias," by Jon Fosse
Briefly

The narrative unfolds around a protagonist who reflects on the unexpected knocks at their door after years of solitude, particularly reminiscing about a past acquaintance, Jatgeir. This event triggers anxiety over their untidy living conditions, hinting at a deeper sense of neglect and isolation. The protagonist's thoughts swirl around their messy home, questions about the identity of the visitor, and a mix of concern and curiosity about what the knock could signify, revealing themes of loneliness and longing for connection.
I can't remember anyone knocking on my door in a long time... it's been years now since he knocked on my door.
There are dirty dishes in the sink... probably smells like me, too, and everything in here’s just a mess.
Read at The New Yorker
[
|
]