Jac the Clown (Clownen Jac) - Hjalmar Bergman

Art. no. 216583963 09 Jun 2025

Jac the Clown (1930) by Hjalmar Bergman is a poignant and satirical novel depicting the artist's struggle in a modern and demanding world. With sharp observations of the entertainment industry and the inner life of man, this is a timeless farewell work from one of Sweden's foremost writers.

In Jac the Clown, we meet Nathan Borck, a reluctant clown pressured by the entertainment industry to perform despite his fear of life. His authentic terror on stage elicits cheers from the audience, unaware that the feelings are real. The novel explores the artist's vulnerability, manipulative power structures and the inner conflict between creating and surviving. With a satirical look at the American entertainment industry and a deep humanity in the story, Jac the Clown is both a sharp social commentary and a tragic insight into the artist's reality.