#norwegian fiction

[recursive-rupture]

. . . and she can't really use the word hurled - as in hurled into this place on her own - because to be hurled is to be thrown in a certain direction, but there's no direction in this, and no momentum, it's more like she's been let go of. Something, whatever it may be - life? - has let go of her, like a hand that was holding her tight and then just opened.

Stay with Me, Hanne Ørstavik

[jenmedsbookreviews]

Toxic by Helga Flatland, translated by Matt Bagguley

Today I am delighted to share my thoughts on Toxic, the brand new novel from Helga Flatland, translated by Matt Bagguley @helgaflatland @orendabooks #mattbagguley #books #bookstagram #bookreview #toxic #teamorenda #booksofinstagram

I love Helga Flatland’s books, so was thrilled to hear that Orenda Books was publishing another title this year. Toxic is the latest novel, translated by Matt Bagguley. My thanks to Anne Cater of Random Things Tours for the tour invite and to publisher Orenda Books for the advance copy of the book. Here’s what it’s all about: Source: Advance CopyRelease Date: 23 May 2024Publisher: Orenda…

[donavanhall]

For one thing, Solstad makes repeated statements impressing upon us how impossible it would be to write the novel that he gives us the footnotes to: “the shape the novel takes is unknown”; “the novel is invisible for the author in the sense that he is unable to write it”; “footnotes to an unknown and unwritten but possibly writeable novel by me.” Solstad adds that he’s hesitant to write this invisible novel because he’s “afraid of what might result from such work”; he adds that his literary output “has no future,” and that “now my time is up.”

[ageekybookworm]

Review of The Indian Bride - Karin Fossum

THREE STARS I’m so unsure about this book. I loved the characters, the story line, it kept me intrigued, but then the ending left me feeling, well … That is the best way to put it. The whole end was just a giant ellipses. The story has wonderful style of giving everyone’s thoughts as the story progresses which I like. You see Gunder who is a 50 something lonely bachelor who daydreams of finding a wife and decides to travel to India on holiday to find one. He meets Poona and they marry while he is there. On the day she flies to her new home in Norway, Gunder’s sister is in a terrible accident and he stays at the hospital with her, missing Poona. Soon after a woman’s body is found in a field beaten beyond recognition. Inspector Sejer makes his entrance here working with Skarre to find the person responsible. Gunder is depressed losing someone he cares for so quickly, while taking care of his sister. Then there are the possible suspects and witnesses in the case and wildfire gossip that spreads with each development. What else is there to do in a small town of 2,000 people? While many people liked the ellipses ending, a story that isn’t neatly wrapped in a bow at the end, I found it a bit annoying. That is the only thing that really takes away from it being 5 stars. Was the person arrested REALLY the culprit? Or was it power of suggestion? And what about Linda and her obsession? Clearly there was something wrong with her, she was unhinged. I don’t mind an ending not being totally tied up neatly but this felt like suddenly she just stopped writing, or I was somehow missing pages, way too abrupt. I do intend to read other book of Fossum’s and see if they