Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Fantastic Norwegian novel

Currently available only in Norwegian, I think, but in the process of being translated into something like 14 languages. The English title seems slated to be Before I Burn. I'm reading it now, or rather hearing it in a wonderfully read audio version. It deserves every bit of the praise it's gotten. It's not hype, it's all true. A fascinating story, based on real events, of a pyromaniac in rural Norway in the late 70s, interwoven with the author's own life - he is from the same district and was born during the height of this series of fires. Very well written, and very original ... this conceit with the intertwining stories works so well. I really recommend this book.

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