In contemporary Norwegian fiction Tomas Espedal's work stands out as uniquely personal; it can be difficult to separate the fiction from Espedal's own experiences. In that vein, his novel "Against Art" is not just the story of a boy growing up to be a writer, but it is also the story of writing. Specifically, it is about the profession of writing - the routines, responsibility, and obstacles. Yet, "Against Art" is also about being a father, a son, and a grandson; about a family and a family's tales, and about how preceding generations mark their successors.