Gammelgresset

Wild Grass is the story of Edvin, a 62-year-old her-mit and in many ways one of the last of the North Norwegians. There have been great upheavals from the time his parents grew up and settled in a small, lively island community. Edvin was long one of the last island-dwellers, but now the author-ities have paid him to move to the mainland. He has the sense that something is about to slip away, and a dawning realisation that a change must soon come.

PRAISE:

‘A wonderful debut novel [...] The story is imbued with the lack of initiative that is the mark of Edvin’s physical as well as mental expression. In this way, Wild Grass becomes a fitting portrait of resignation. At the same time, sharp observations and odd yet apt imagery pervade this precocious debut work – such as one day when Edvin goes out in public [...] thinking that ‘none of them would pay any attention to him unless they were having a bad day.’ Edvin, for his part, pays close attention to a young woman. Just ‘seeing her was like being served hot soup.’ Wow! What we have here is a debut novelist who knows the art of rooting his metaphors in the right place!’ 5 out of 6 stars, Adresseavisen

‘The story of Edvin is finely told, its sentences dependably honed, and the somewhat unusual novel is executed with self-confidence.’ Klassekampen

‘Lingering and well formed about a 62-year-old eccentric going through a life crisis [...] The entirety is purposeful and executed with a deft touch.’ 5 out of 6 stars, Stavanger Aftenblad