Thursday, 2 April 2026

I never imagined I could be so engrossed in a novel, translated from the Norwegian, about one small family scratching out a living on a tiny island where nothing much happens except weather. But the seasons pass and life happens and change follows and even on an island there are dreams and disappointments. It is beautifully written - in language as spare as the landscape - and beautifully translated by two co-translators. (I wonder how they managed that so seamlessly?) This is the first book of a quartet and I've already ordered the next one.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

That sounds like just the kind of read I need right now. Adding to my TBR list.

It’s really lovely to see a new post from you. I thought of your blog last week when watching the BBC’s adaptation of ‘The Other Bennet Sister’ and wondered if you’d enjoyed it…and then I remembered you’d once posted about Renoir’s paintings of two little French girls. There’s a forthcoming book about them by Catherine Ostler, I believe. And I fell down a delight rabbit hole reading your old posts, writing down book titles to investigate and TV shows to watch. So thank you for the hours of enjoyment I now have lined up, and hope there will be more posts from you soon.
Kate

Mary said...

Thank you, Kate - it's lovely to know that you still enjoy reading, even though I've been so bad about writing! Yes, I did enjoy The Other Bennet Sister, despite initial reservations about yet another P&P spin-off - but it turned out to be just what's needed on a chilly spring night. And thank you for reminding me about the Renoir painting - that book sounds fascinating; the girls look so pretty and innocent in the painting, protected by such riches, who would think of the tragedy that awaits them.