Non-fiction, fiction – or what? A discussion of genre in the writings of K. O. Viderø

The writings of the Faroese author, pastor and Bible translator K.O. Viderø (1906­1991) trespass the border between fiction and non­ fiction and are difficult to define in relation to genre. A definition of genre is on the other hand crucial for the way we read them. K.O. Viderø wrote about himself and about travels, events and people, he experienced, but he did so in his own imaginative way. The article discusses relevant theories of genre and the problems connected to at final definition of K.O. Viderø“s writings. The publication Á Suðurlandið (1990) is analyzed and used as an example of how Viderø found it hard to adjust himself to the limitations of traditional genres and indirectly wrote about it. The article finally argues that most of the writings, where Viderø writes about himself, are to be read as literary travel writings.